This Lenten season has truly been a blessing, as every Lent truly is, but I guess that Pope Francis' and our Superior General's Fr. Greg Gay's Lenten letters really helped to deepen the meaning of the season.
How can I, and we, as followers of Jesus evangelizer of the poor continue to become poor and to receive the riches that God has in store for us all? That's not an easy task at times, not only because we may desire to have more, but the call to let go of what we possess and even more so what possesses us, when there's no reason for us to have it, the unnecessary and the excess in our lives.
Then there's a call made to look at own poverty, the ugly, the brokenness, the things that we may want to hide from ourselves. How can I let God and neighbor see that part of me that I don't want to see or acknowledge? That takes courage and confidence in our Lord, to let him truly see us, to let Him touch our wounds. That's an ouch moment, but it's the only way to heal.
The beautiful part of being a Catholic, a Christian is that we live in the presence of a loving and merciful God, who calls us forth. One who invites us to come into the light, so that we may see and experience the warmth and his healing power, so that we may chase away those clouds that darken our souls, our lives and the path we're called to follow. We have to remember the many gospel parables that demonstrate that even if there is sin, God's grace and love are greater. They're an invitation for us to regain our dignity and then start anew.
What an important word, invitation, not an obligation. We're invited to come to live, to participate in life, in the banquet and we're called by our name.
What an important word, invitation, not an obligation. We're invited to come to live, to participate in life, in the banquet and we're called by our name.
Our call widens then when we recognize that we're called to be a community. A community of believers, people scarred but blessed who continue to walk the path set before them. One of the greatest things as Vincentians is that constant reminder to see Christ in our neighbor, especially in those who are poor and experience marginalization; to see our own poverty, their poverty and then share the blessings. True blessings, that are never too small, none to immense, but enough before the Lord and neighbor.
In this world where we try to label all, especially people, are we able to take a leap and reach out to all? No matter how different the world may want to make it seem. No matter what they've been through, or going through. They, like we us, are created in the image of God. Could it be that we lose sight of this, because it's hard to see God in our beings? Could it be that our blinders don't let us see past our wants? There's so much to think about, to pray about, to act upon.
Lent is a special time, as we know and experience year after year, and as we almost finish, this is the last week before Holy Week, I hope we live this last sprint with simplicity and intensity. Two words we don't always place together, but here it reflects a desire to make each moment count and that it may leave its imprint upon us and in our desire to be for the other.
May Vincent, Louise, Rosalie, Frederick and so many others in our extensive Vincentian family continue to animate us to answer our daily call.
May Christ evangelizer of those who are poor, continue to help is accomplish the mission entrusted us.
