Going with Gods Flow The Charity of Christ Impels Us

by Regina Bechtle, SC

Going with Gods Flow The Charity of Christ Impels Us

by Regina Bechtle, SC

Introduction
Energy of Gods love Overview Gods energy impels us toward
Relationship, connection, collaboration, partnership

Ways we resist energy Resistance is an invitation to go with the flow Resource to harness energy of resistance Wisdom of our Vincentian founders Great Vincentian word and

Gods Energy Impels Us

Reign of God = new way of being in relationship Jesus dream - belonging Vincent and Louises vision Poor have a claim on us We belong to one another Elizabeth Setons vision Relationships of belonging impel to lives of service Frederic, Rosalies vision Bring Christs love to a cold world, make it a place where all belong

Creation
Fundamental direction of creation From I to We Grace of knowing we belong, especially to those in need Called to break boundaries

Breaking Boundaries
Rich and poor Between
Our groups Our Congregations Our Provinces

We are food and drink for one another. We are one anothers body and blood. We are one anothers salvation. (Ivone Gebara)

Resistance
A Look at resistance Impel or repel? All living things resist threats to survival Institutions resist change Resistance as a teacher Usually in the place where we are afraid Resistance has a positive face Resistance is the dragon guarding precious treasure

Resistance
Plays key role in transformation Our wounds are doorways into conversion We must be so careful to meet our grace (Elizabeth) Go to the places that scare you. (Buddhist Saying) What if, at least occasionally, we came together in order to change our mind? (Margaret Wheatley)

Motivation to Transformation
What moves us to conversion and transformation? Opening to the needs of others Place of resistance is a holy place where God is very active

Wisdom of Our Founders

The Vincentian and The way to God is the way of both/and
Love God AND love the neighbor Rich AND Poor Action AND Prayer Solitude AND community Head AND Heart Now AND not-yet Charity AND justice Service that is material AND spiritual

The Grace of AND

And is the place of grace for us in the Vincentian Family Who else needs to be part of this conversation, this planning? Whose wisdom are we missing? What if we invited xxxxx to join us?

Let Us Pray
God of relationship, deepen in us the conviction that we are one anothers food and drink, one anothers salvation. God of the AND, turn our self-sufficiency into a deep desire to be about Your mission together. Make us pliable in Your hands, ever-creating God, And unrestricted in our readiness to serve Your energy,

Let Us Pray
To go with Your flow, To be re-shaped and refashioned in Your image of collaborative community, Wherever You lead us. AMEN