Responding to God’s Call
The Blessed Virgin May .. the Perfect Disciple
Reflection
This month, in the Catholic Church, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This solemnity is another day for our Church to recognize and celebrate our Blessed Mother. The young woman who heard God’s calling and said “Yes,” to His will.
Our Blessed Mother is not the only one being asked to follow God’s will. All of us have that moment in our lives, where God speaks and asks us to follow His will. But do we hear and follow when He asks. Or do we stall, throw in our own wants and desires. Especially, when He asks us to do something difficult, one that will cause judgement from others, or something that goes against what the broader society tells us.
Another example of this we can see from our founder, Blessed Frederic. A challenge arose from a fellow student about the Catholic Church and how it serves those experiencing poverty (or the Church’s lack of service). Frederic could have easily heard that challenge
and turned a deaf ear, but he heard it as it was. A calling from God.
As Vincentians, our mission and how we walk alongside our neighbors, is still living out that calling from God that Frederic received. Like Mary, Frederic, and all our Saints, we are invited to live out the call and to respond, not with action plans, but with faith. Trusting that God will provide for each step. This requires us to constantly be building a relationship of genuine love and trust with our Father. Love requires trust, you cannot have one without
the other.
As we move into a new conference year, perhaps you are being called to serve the poor in a new way. Have you thought about being called in a new way?
Looking again to our Mother Mary, her invitation was an invitation to trust, to love, and to become a servant to our Lord and His will. When we hear God’s call, how do we respond?
Discussion Questions
- How am I discerning God’s Will? Am I like Mary and accept His will? How do I accept His calling? Is it with joy and willingness, or conditionally and with reservation?
- How can we continue to live out the Vincentian calling, to respond with faith when the Lord speaks, as a Conference member? How can we help each other to discern the path God has set for us and slowly shows us?
Deacon John Girolami
Spiritual Advisor
SSVP Ontario Regional Council
