Hanging out with God – Consumer/Christian – Gathering as Family – Life is a Celebration are the topics of Lynn L’Heureux’ reflections for Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast – Tues. January 7, 2014
Dear Vincentian Family: We are clearly into 2014. How are your Resolutions going? Mine are up and down. One thing we have to keep in mind. Nothing works without God’s plan and prayer. We babysat our two youngest grandchildren New Years Eve and did crafts and sang Christmas Carols. The youngest (5) did not want to participate in the New Year’s Resolution, because she knew she might not be able to do it and she would feel bad. Her words, “It is better to just try every day to try to do one thing nice.” This is so true. I still have my resolution and when I told the children what it was, my grandson (7) said, “Gramma that will be hard for you”. Kids are so honest, no wonder God says we should be like them. Keep Jesus in your heart, give of yourself, continue to be a Vincentian and not only will you be blessed, but it will pour out to others. We cannot do it alone. We need God.
Hanging out with God – Let us try to talk more with God, make peace mostly with ourselves as we continue our work and service as Vincentians doing good for others and ourselves. Be truthful and share your frustrations with the Trinity, Mary, Joseph, St. Vincent and all the saints. Saint Basil the Great back in the 300’s said, “O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the Divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity” Truth is an extremely valuable possession – a precious rock. God continues to reach out to us giving us the security of his abundant love and many gifts. He never quits, we need to open our eyes and hang out with Him and the Saints more. Put down our communication devices reach for the Word and give God our whole self. Forget our plans, listen to His plans and feel the love. Mingle with the Trinity for greater benefits than any stock tip. Live in the lap of luxury of our Lord. There is no greater love and you will never have a plan greater than God’s.
Consumer/Christian – Saint Faustina says, “My spirit engrossed itself in the benefits that God has lavished on me throughout this whole year…All that this year contained has gone into the abyss of eternity. Nothing is lost. I am glad that nothing gets lost.” This is the Christian in us. Many times through the Christmas season, especially the consumer Christmas we lose the feeling of love. The proof of God’s love is when we are led back to the child in the manger. This is the greatest testimony of how much we are loved. It is all we need. The consumer side of Christmas takes away our peace and we become busy, busy, busy. At some point we stop, take a breath and know our God has this one and things are good, indeed they are very good. What have you “seen and heard” from God this Christmas? How has Christ’s life become visible to you? No matter what went wrong or the frustrations you may have had you have Christ Jesus in the manger and a loving heavenly Father to make things right. So keep the joy; we are still in the Christmas season. It is a season of hope, peace, joy and love; live it. Listen for the presence and sit quietly rejoicing, Christ our Saviour is born.
Gathering as Family – I know this is special for us. We are family. We have our Vincentian Family, our Church family and our special gift from God Family. Mary is a great example of just saying “Yes” and serving the ultimate head of our family, God the Father. Mary shows us the way. Being a mother or father and being Christian are not part time jobs. Don’t forget to receive Jesus into your family celebrations. St. Theresa of Calcutta said, “Mary, my dearest mother, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so Immaculate, so full of love and humility, that I may receive Jesus as you did—and go in haste to give Him to others. Receive Jesus in your family. God believes in us more than we do, let Him lead our families. You will experience a year of many blessings.
Life is a Celebration – May 2014 be a year of celebrations and blessings. Live each moment and share your love and smiles with those around you. Get past any emotions or hardships you have and bring Christ into your celebration. Accept the gift of wisdom and celebrate all your miracles. At Mass our Lord comes to us and we are always forgiven. Keep your eyes on Christ and accept the miracles you are given to celebrate life. Rejoice in the celebration with others and other families. We have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and they are all moving in our lives and families to give us cause to celebrate. Keep your eyes on the goodness of God in three persons and each one of your days will be a celebration.
I hope you have been following www.famvin.org/en . There is always so much to see and a great deal of info on youth and on our dear Pope Francis. Looking for a good video or information on formations, visit the site. You will be glad you did. Pray for each other, for families, for our youth and for our world leaders and Vincentian leaders around the world. Especially pray for our clergy and religious. They need and deserve our prayers and blessings. I continue to ask for prayers for a little sweet angel, Marisol. She has suffered so much in her young life and embraces life with love. May God heal her and keep her family in His loving embrace.
Blessings,
Lynn
Lynn L’Heureux is Special needs co-coordinator & Advisor of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Calgary Alberta Canada
Subscribe to her weekly newsletter Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast (English and Spanish) by sending an email to calgaryssvpadm@gmail.com
Tags: Calgary, L'Heureux, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVDP
