Vincentian Spirituality

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Gospel: (Matthew 5: 13-16)

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly father.”

Reflection:

The lights in a city create a glow in the sky that can be seen from miles away. However, a light can be hidden—put under a bushel; the light still shines, but its light is blanketed, covered over, kept from doing what it is meant to do. When Jesus says, “You are the light of the world,” he is saying that we can choose to cover over the grace that is given us. We can choose to ignore who we are called to be—beloved adopted sons and daughters—and act of “out of character.” Then our actions do not square up with who we are. By such choices we compromise both identity and mission. We must live who we are. Identity and mission cannot be separated. (Living Liturgy, p.58)

Vincentian Meditation:

Vincent prayed that over time his designs and actions would be more and more in harmony with God’s desires. He knew that this was the way to a full life. One afternoon in the very last months of his life, Vincent sat with some of his close friends. In the way that people sometimes do when they sense that their time is coming to an end, Vincent began to speak about what mattered to him most. He did not tell of any particularly successful project, or of people whom he had loved and who had loved him, nor even of his precious poor ones. Rather, he talked to his friends about the loving hand of God that had led him, of the interior star that had steered him through all the hectic years. Bent and elderly as he was, he declared, “We should give ourselves to God and wear ourselves out for God.” (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.35)

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

In what ways is our Conference a “light that shines before others?”

Closing Prayer:

For the grace to be the salt of the earth,

Loving God, hear us!

For the grace to be a light of the world,

Loving God, hear us!

For the grace to “give ourselves to God,”

Loving God, hear us!

For the grace to “wear ourselves out for God,”

Loving God, hear us!

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.