"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars."
Rev 12:1
August 15
Gospel: (Luke
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of
Reflection:
Mary’s “yes” unleashed a unique relationship with Jesus. This is why all generations will call her blessed: without knowing how and why, she believed that God would raise her up to be the Mother of God. For nine months she would nurture in her womb the Life that would bring life to all. For nine months she would give her body so that the Bread of Life might be born. Mary is blessed because she believed in God’s word. Mary is blessed because her body gave life to the Word incarnate. This is why we believe that her body is assumed into heaven: hers was a blessed body. Body and soul, she was assumed into heaven to enjoy eternal life with the divine Word, her Son. And, this because she believed and trusted in God! (Living Liturgy, p.190)
Vincentian Meditation:
Mary is the ideal disciple, the model listener. She hears God’s word and acts on it. Mary as the Listening Disciple, lies at the core of New Testament spirituality: all disciples, like Mary, are called to listen to the word of God attentively and act on it. There is almost nothing more important that Mary can teach us than to learn to listen. At root, being a disciple means being a hearer of the word. The whole of Christian life can be summed up in the phrase: “She listened to the word of God and acted on it.” (Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p.110-111)
Journal: (Write down your thoughts after a moment of silence)
How can we better live our Vincentian devotion to Mary?
Closing Prayer:
Mary responded with joyful faith to your call,
-Lord, open our hearts to do your will.
Mary listened to the Word of God and acted on it,
-Lord, grant us the grace to follow her example.
Mary assumed into heaven, you are the Mother of the Church,
-Mary, full of grace, pray for us.
Mary lived the mystery of Jesus and followed him to
-Mary, give us the grace to find God in all of the events of our lives.
Amen
“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not support nor will it support any legislation, provision or amendment that fails to uphold the sanctity and dignity of human life. Further, we will continue to work with Catholic Health Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA to ensure that any legislation will continue to support the conscience clause protection to health care workers and that the Hyde exception continues to ensure no abortion can be funded with federal funds.”
Joseph Flannigan National PresidentSociety of St. Vincent de Paul USA
The National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul has worked with its Voice of the Poor Committee to develop a sound and thoughtful position for health care reform which was adopted by its national membership in 2004. This work is based on and guided by the Church's social and moral teachings and informed by pastoral letters prepared by the United States Bishops as well as through the guidance of Papal Encyclicals. The basis for this vision of health care reform was captured recently in a letter to Congress on behalf of the United States Bishops written by Bishop William F. Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Center: "The Bishops' Conference believes health care reform should be truly universal and should be genuinely affordable. ... Health care is not just another issue for the Church or for a healthy society. It is a fundamental issue of human life and dignity."
Click here to read the Society’s national position paper on health care issued in 2004
