Vincentian Spirituality

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME     

Gospel: (Mark 8:27-35)

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples this question: “Who do people say that I am?” They replied, “Some, John the Baptizer, others, Elijah, still others, one of the prophets.” “And you,” he went on to ask, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah!” Then he strictly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer much, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be put to death, and rise three days later…He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them: “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps. Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

Reflection:

The cross is exalted—honored and venerated—because it brings life. But the only way we can share in this life is believing in Jesus and taking up our own cross so that death leads to life. Believing in Jesus implies sharing in Jesus’ death as well as his resurrection. For most of us, we readily see the crosses in our lives. Perhaps the challenge of this gospel is to see beyond our crosses to glory and life. This is the challenge of the cross: to see that glory in our everyday lives. Good surrounds all of us; the cross invites us to see that good—out of pain and poverty can come a new life that has value, meaning, and purpose for self and others. (Living Liturgy, p.208)

Vincentian Meditation:

The cross is always seen in light of the resurrection. Without the resurrection, the cross remains in darkness. Also, there is no resurrection without the cross. The cross of Christ, therefore, stands with the resurrection at the center of the good news we believe in. Together, they tell us how deeply God loves us. They evangelize us. And, besides the cross of Jesus, the crosses of his members can evangelize us, too. Our lives can be transformed by the suffering love of Jesus’ followers, who fill up his sufferings in their bodies: the sick, who bear illness with courage; the grieving, who hope against hope; the dying, who clearly trust in the resurrection. The “foolishness” of the cross will be credible on our lips only if we have learned its “wisdom” from sharing in the suffering of our brothers and sisters. (Maloney, He Hears the Cry of the Poor, p. 48-49)

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.