Contemplation — There Is Truly Nothing Better

Contemplation — There Is Truly Nothing Better

Contemplation — There Is Truly Nothing Better 1080 1080 SVDP USA

What does it mean to serve in hope — serviens in spe, as our international logo says? Surely, when we visit a neighbor whose lights have been shut off, who faces eviction, whose cupboards are bare, we (and they) hope for relief from these needs. Thankfully, more often than not, we are able to provide the assistance that is needed. Sometimes, though, the needs are too great, or our resources too limited, and what then?

Thinking back on our own lives, we all can recall times that we narrowly escaped misfortune — the car wreck we walked away from that easily could have been fatal; the illness that was almost accidentally diagnosed before it became untreatable; the unemployment we weathered until finding a job that was better than the one we lost.

“God was with me!” we exclaim with joy. “He answered my prayers!” Surely He was and surely He did, and our joy is not misplaced! Yet when we think it through, we realize that God was also with the ones who don’t survive the crash or the illness, and the ones whose joblessness leads to destitution. He heard their prayers, He loves them equally, His great and universal plan of redemption is for them, too. It is, if we are to take the Savior’s words to heart, for them especially.

This knowledge of God’s special blessings on the poor can ironically make us hesitant at times to even try to offer the true hope, the eternal hope, through our gentleness and our prayers; to allow ourselves to be caught up in the tyranny of the moment, too; to become too discouraged when our own money runs short.

We can remind ourselves that our prayers are the most important part of our home visits, and say them even if only from a sense of habit or duty, but, Bl. Frederic once asked, “How do we preach resignation and courage to the unfortunate when we feel devoid of it ourselves?”

Our virtue of humility is a reminder that everything we have is from God, and everything we do is for His glory. That includes the comfort we may offer, because all comfort comes from God. We don’t ask His comfort on behalf of the neighbor, but together with the neighbor. We ask Him to wipe away our shared tears, to lift the burden not of bills, but of fear from both of us — from all of us.

This is the joy and the challenge of our vocation. It is also the reason that whenever we share our stories with each other, whether in correspondence or in the home visit reports during Conference meetings, our focus must first be on the true hope of salvation, and not, as Bl Frédéric explained in 1838, “statistical documents where success is defined in prideful numbers. We have to exchange ideas, inspiration perhaps, fears at times, and always hope. These … communications are like a form of circulation that brings the Society to life. There is truly nothing better.”

Contemplate

What inspiration, fear, and hope can I share with my fellow Vincentians?

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9 Comments
  • One can try to mitigate their situation by offering other financial recourse such as maybe family members who can assist them. If its it also means giving them additional food in addition to what they have already received for that month so they can pay that small bill that is due.

    • Timothy P Williams April 24, 2023 at 9:13 am

      “We should never be ashamed of the smallness of our alms” an earlier version of our Rule once said. As you point out, even very little offerings can make a big difference – even more so when they are offered in love and friendship.

  • Great, great writing! This reflection truly touchs on the value that we bring in our service to our neighbors. They may not realize it but what help with, gives them hope. Hope to make it anther day, week, or month. Or is a ray of light at the end of the tunnel.
    Thank you for this most inspiring reflection.

  • Mary Gonzales Vega April 17, 2023 at 11:56 am

    Thank you for the reminder to include a prayer or a few words that will comfort our neighbor in need that there is hope that their situation will be improved not just due to the financial assistance provided but prayers offer to our Lord on their behalf.

  • Margaret Quigley April 17, 2023 at 1:09 pm

    ………every neighborhood has its poor…..perhaps it is financial, perhaps it is loneliness, perhaps a hundred other “tyranny of the moment”……Thinking back to Christ and His neighborhood, Jerusalem was a small area in relationship to the world. Christ served the poor over and over again in that small geographic place. His influence has lived on for centuries. He brought faith, hope and love to his neighbors. In our own neighborhoods we are capable of the same when we listen to the Holy Spirit guiding us and trusting in God’s plan.

    For 23 years I have lived in my immediate neighborhood, life flowed pretty smoothly . Friendships were forged and kindnesses were given. We as neighbors cared and shared with each other……..words, thoughts, food, books, lessons learned, faith, hope and love. Now in my “last years” I thought, “what have I to give?”……and the Vincentian in me wishing to grow in holiness and care of others replies, “ the same as before”……share with those around you. My geographic impact is narrowed in miles but like Christ, the area no matter how small or large is ripe with opportunities to help others …..

    Therefore the four widows on my street, the lonely single mother, the man with the cardboard sign on the corner, the families asking for a hand outside the grocery store, all of these give us a chance to share a word, a thought , food, books, lessons learned , faith, hope and Love……. My friend, Mort, once said “ once a Vincentian , always a Vincentian”. How wise he was and is. Share with others……. Share yourself, as Christ taught us.

    • Margaret H Davis April 18, 2023 at 3:39 pm

      Thank you Margaret. your words resonated within me. I will do what I can, give words of comfort and encouragement. The prayer we read before our home visit include “this is temporary” in regards to that person’s situation. That reminder is encouragement in dire moments. Thank you again.

  • Thank you, Tim. Well written I especially appreciate your remarks that highlight that God walks with all of us and that he blesses all of us, not just the wealthy or the healthy or the lucky; but, all of us, always.

  • This is indeed a huge challenge in our vocation, as our ability to help falls further and further behind the ever-growing needs. We do fear for our neighbors for whom our help merely delays their eviction for a month or two, rather than preventing it. And we fear for ourselves, that when we can’t fix the problems, our ministry “isn’t working”. What a powerful idea: “our focus must first be on the true hope of salvation, and not, as Bl Frédéric explained in 1838, on “statistical documents””. How could we better share that hope with each other?
    Tim, where could I read the rest of that quote from Bl Frédéric ?

    • Timothy P Williams April 18, 2023 at 12:54 pm

      I normally link to the source when possible, but unfortunately, this one is currently unpublished. It is from his address to The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul General Assembly
      Lyon, April 27, 1838. Here is a little more:

      “If the proximity of our last report leaves us little to share with you, do not let yourselves think that we find this regular correspondence a burden. The letters that you await from us are not statistical documents where success is defined in prideful numbers. We have to exchange ideas, inspiration perhaps, fears at times, and always hope. These brotherly communications are like a form of circulation that brings the Society to life. There is truly nothing better. On the issue of Lent, the morning after will be Easter ceremonies. Is it not a good thing at this time of the soul’s total rejuvenation to recognize, and say whether we too have felt our faith and charity rejuvenated? Did our ranks not only grow but also draw closer together? Did our works not only become more numerous, but also improve? Yes, of course we must ask how much bread was given out to the poor, but beyond that how many tears were wiped away, and how many Christians were returned to their duties?”

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