From the Deacon’s Desk:  Prayer and Inspirational Thoughts

August 22 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”  As we come to the close of the ‘Bread of Life discourse’ in John’s gospel, we reach a moment of truth – do we accept AND embrace His teachings and His call to us?  Even when it is hard?  Even when we don’t understand?  Even when others may ridicule us?  Do we do so with both our words and actions?  Do we listen for His voice, or do we try to insert ours?  In short, do we come humbly before our Lord?  Many of the disciples found themselves unable to let go of their biases, their pre-conceived notions, and even their thoughts for the best way forward.  They could not find the humility to set aside themselves and follow the Lord in complete trust.  He calls each of us to eat and drink of his body and blood that we might see that “his words are Spirit and life!”

As Vincentians, humility is at the very center of our call and response to God.  Through our vocation as Vincentians, we look to follow in the virtues and charism of St. Vincent.  We learn to set aside our biases to be a part of something bigger.  We learn humility by adherence to the Rule.  We learn charity through both our ministry to neighbors in need and our friendship to one another.  Our Vincentian vocation serves to form us as disciples of Christ by seeing and seeking his presence in all those around us. Our ministry can be hard at times – especially when we come face to face with our prejudices.  It is at those times that Jesus says “Come and follow me!”  He invites us to see love – and to be love to one another.  We are called to come humbly before Him and before those He brings to us both in our ministry and daily living.  How do I look to the Lord for guidance in all decisions?  How do I joyfully submit to His will?  How do I seek the path of humility by saying Yes to God at all times?

Lord Jesus, give me a heart of total acceptance.  Let humility become my robe of daily living.  Allow me to seek nothing but your will in all things – even when they are hard.  For you are the source of all things and you have the answers for life.  I seek no other place to be.   We pray all of this in your name.  Amen

Deacon Mike