Vincentian Spirituality

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

Gospel: (Matthew 18:21-35)

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants... a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount…Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When the servant left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount…

he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. 

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers…So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother or sister from your heart.”

Reflection:

Forgiving another-not focusing on our hurt or the other’s transgression but on the lovableness of the other-is so difficult! The challenge of this gospel is to forget how others have behaved toward us and look to God’s way of loving and forgiving us. Our focus must be on God. Without God’s example we probably couldn’t forgive very well. The challenge is to forget about ourselves so we can reach out to the other. (Living Liturgy, p. 236)

Vincentian Meditation: 

“Because Jesus took our misery upon Himself, it is only reasonable that we should follow and imitate His holy, human life….Filled with consolation and happiness at the thought of being accepted by Him to live my entire life as His follower, I resolved that in everything, particularly in uncertain or questionable circumstances, I would consider what Jesus would have done…All the actions and the entire life of the Son of God are only for our example and instruction…”- St. Louise de Marillac (Gibson and Kneaves, Praying with Louise, p. 55)

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

Jesus told us that we must forgive others “from our heart.” Who needs your forgiveness?

Closing Prayer:

Come, Lord of Healing and Unity, we are in need of Your divine help,

-help us to find a way to peace and understanding.

Let our hearts be ready to see Your way of loving and forgiving. 

-may we be servants of pardon and make us as or giving as  You. 

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.