Vincentian Spirituality

ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

Gospel: (Luke 24:46-53)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

Reflection:

Sometimes we Christians can get so caught up in the doing that we forget simply taking time to be with our God, is as important to our Christian witness, as actually doing Christian acts. Taking care with our Sunday worship and even taking time to rest on Sunday can be acts of witnessing to Christ. It’s a challenge to keep some balance in our lives between the demands of our everyday activities and our desire to give God homage and praise. When things get hectic, the first temptation is to skip prayer time because that seems to have the least immediate results for us. Our deadlines and schedules don’t change, but it seems prayer time can be dispensable. In fact, cheating on our prayer time over time can radically affect everything we do. Christian witnessing means God is our focus. (Living Liturgy, p.132)

Vincentian Meditation:

If we are to maintain vision in our lives; if we are to be men and women who worship God with our hearts, we must give attention to our prayer. To give attention to prayer means being ready to waste time, so to speak, in prayer. By wasting time in prayer means being ready to sit still in the presence of God, allowing His presence to seep into us and quietly challenge us. It is through prayer that we slowly make Jesus Christ increasingly a point of reference in our lives, for decisions great and small. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 651)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts after a moment of silence)

In our Conference is prayer dispensable or indispensable?

Closing Prayer:

Jesus was taken up in a cloud and reigns as Lord of heaven and earth and promising,

“I am with you always, even to the end of time.”

We ask for balance in our lives between demands of service and prayer,

Jesus may you always be the center of our lives.

We ask for strength to continue as your faithful disciples,

Jesus may you always be the center of our lives.

We ask for the grace “to waste time” in prayer at our Conference meetings,

Jesus may you always be the center of our lives.

Amen

Opening Prayer for Society Meetings:

L:  In the Name of the Father, etc.

All:  Amen.

L:  Come, Holy Spirit, live within our lives.

All:  And strengthen us by Your Love.

L:  Send forth your spirit and new life will be created.

All:  And the whole face of the earth will be renewed.

L:  Our Father, etc.

All:  Give us this day our daily bread, etc.

L:  Let us reflect on the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, recalling His unity and presence among us: “Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Silence)

All:  Lord Jesus, deepen our Vincentian spirit of friendship during this meeting and make us responsive to the Christian calling to seek and find the forgotten, the suffering, or the deprived so that we may bring them your love. Help us to be generous with our time, our possessions, and ourselves in this mission of charity. Perfect in us your love and teach us to share more fully in the Eucharistic Sacrifice offered for all.

L:  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, All:  Have mercy on us.

L:  Immaculate Heart of Mary, All:  Pray for us.

L:  St. Vincent de Paul,  All:  Pray for us.

L:  St. Louise de Marillac, All:  Pray for us.

L:  Blessed Frederic Ozanam, All:  Pray for us.

L:  Blessed Rosalie Rendu, All:  Pray for us.

L:  In the Name of the Father, etc.

All:  Amen.

Closing Prayer for Society Meetings: 

All:  Father, grant that we who are nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist may realize the depth of our needs, respond more spontaneously to the suffering of others, and come to love You more deeply by service to our neighbor.

Grant us also the wisdom and strength to persevere when disappointed or distressed. May we never claim that the fruitfulness of our apostolate springs from ourselves alone. United in prayer and action, may we become a visible sign of Christ and may we give witness to His boundless love, which reaches out to all and draws them to love one another in Him.

We thank You, Lord, for the many blessings which we receive from those whom we visit. Help us to love and respect them, to understand their deeper needs, and to share their burdens and joys as true friends in Christ.

L: That the Cause for the Canonization of Frederic Ozanam, who excelled in the virtue of Christian love, be advanced.

All: Lord, hear us.

L: That our departed friends and relatives, our Vincentian Brothers and Sisters, and those whom we have served, be welcomed into your Kingdom and joined in love.

All:  Lord, hear us.

L: In the Name of the Father, etc.

All:  Amen.