“Do you have the courage to be humble?” is one of the questions Lynn L’Heureux raises in her weekly Vincentian Reflection. Then there is a question of whether hope is on your “A” list. And is it true that “Never” ruins progress? “Should be offer things up?”
Do you have the Courage to be Humble? – Hope –- Offer it up.
Dear Vincentian family: We love to celebrate our role models and saints. We have a lot to celebrate in September. We have much to look forward to in the coming weeks and getting back to things after summer. I pray for each of you and I offer your worries, pain and fears to our Lord. You are tending His Lambs and feeding His sheep and the Good Shepherd knows of your goodness. He applauds your service and loves your sincerity and dedication. Feel His love as you do your work and know what you do is good. Please take the time to pray for my young friend who is in hospital. Marisol has been in our prayers many times. Keep her, her family and doctors in your prayers, so she may be healed.
Do you have the Courage to be Humble? I seem to write about humility a good deal. So that tells you a little about my struggles. I really have difficulty excepting thanks and gifts, (except from my husband, they are expected). We trouble to feel we deserve praise. On the other hand when we are presenting something we don’t mention our accomplishments. Sometimes people need to know who you are to respect your decisions, arguments and teachings. You want to please God and everything good we do is because of Him, so we try to be humble. Think of the courage and humility Christ had. He was the Son of God. He lived and spoke the truth and suffered ridicule and physical pain. He suffered the pain of betrayal, humiliation and rejection. Know that we are called to do the same. Pray for courage and humility.
Hope belongs on everyone’s “A” list. Hope gives us peace. It is the key to freedom. When everything around us falls apart, we pray for hope. We see it often in those we serve, the lack of hope. When you lose hope all is gone. We should attempt to always bring hope to others. We need to live and be at peace with ourselves, no matter what is happening in our lives. Most of all we have to share the hope and everlasting love of God with all those around us. The saddest thing with those we serve is the loss of that flicker of hope. Keep it alive in all those God places before you. This gift of faith we are given by God is the ultimate gift and is meant to share. We can expect Him to intervene for us, so that hope is never lost completely. We may stumble, and God may seem invisible or on holidays, but know and believe what God has revealed and pray for hope for all those He places before us and hope for ourselves. Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to him, and if they were to allow his grace to mold them accordingly. – Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
“Never” Ruins Progress! We always say God is the planner, the chief architect, however it is sometimes a great battle to accept it. When we become too emotional with our plans, we forget they are His plans. It is important to pray often when doing our work. People sometimes say, “That will never happen or we tried it but in never works.” The word “never” does not exist in God’s plans. He patiently waits on our emotional resistance as we dismiss the wisdom of His ways and those doing His work. I know it is not original; however I like to say, “If you don’t think it will work, get out of the way of those already doing it! When God does everything possible to make things happen, get out of the way. Accept it is good if blessed by God. Most of the time what is in your way is you. Let go and let God.
Offer it up. Now that you are humble and do not interfere and live with hope, offer everything to God. Fast and pray for your Vincentian work. Fast and pray for God’s intervention in Syria. Offer your concerns up to Him and let Him get on with it. Once you have completed the most difficult project and it is a success. Praise the Lord! People will praise you and lift that to the Lord. Know who is really in charge.“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).
This weekly prayer, I offer up each Tuesday, was a challenge from my Parish Priest, who always gives me the best advice and truly loves to challenge. I and a team of two ladies were hoping to get a building for women over 50 who had fallen through the cracks. We had the money raised and the main donor died and his family didn’t honor the pledge. Father Julian told us, if we wanted things to happen, choose a day and get people to pray on that day and fast. He said we should fast from whatever we could, but mostly gossip, anger and criticism. We did this faithfully; one of the ladies continues to receive this prayer. We rose over a million from smaller donations in 3 months. In the end, we celebrated with a thanksgiving Mass and offered everything to God. Tuesdays are usually my miracle days. Good things happen and even if they don’t, I know God is there in the back ground. He is with all of you not only on Tuesday, but always. Offer everything to Him.
Please check out www.famvin.org/en you will find a good deal on prayers for Syria and stories as well as celebrations for St. Vincent, Frederic Ozanam and others who were instrumental in this great family. It is so beautiful to read the stories and know that somewhere every minute of the day a Vincentian is working with you, prisoners, hospitals, poverty and every deed needed for the glory of God. You are part of the family and you are loved dearly.
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: Courage, Hope, Humility, L'Heureux, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVDP
