The Bible is filled with stories of God calling His people and of their responses. Most of those called gave either an enthusiastic 'Yes!' or a litany of excuses. From Genesis through Revelation our God continues to call, invite, encourage, cajole and even demand that His people answer His call to serve.

There is no reference in scripture to Noah being a great builder; he grew grapes and made wine. But God called Noah to build a giant boat and Noah said yes.

Abraham and Sarah, an elderly, childless couple who should have been staying close to home for security were called by God to set off on a journey to an unknown destination. Abraham continued to say yes, even when he was tested by God who asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

It took wresting with an angel all night to convince Jacob that he could go on with God's blessing.

And how about Moses! He resisted most strenuously when God called him to lead the people out of Egypt. "Who am I to speak to Pharaoh?" "What if the people won't listen to me?" "I have speech problems." "Send somebody else!" In the end Moses gave in to God and became the great deliverer of the children of Israel.

Many of the prophets replied with excuses and refusals. Jeremiah told God that he was too young. Amos tried to excuse himself because he was a simple herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees. Jonah not only refused to go to Nineveh, he ran away in a boat and was swallowed up by a giant sea creature before he said yes. Samuel, while still a child, didn't recognize God's call at all; he thought that it was Eli, the old priest, calling for help. I think one of the saddest stories in the New Testament is the one about the rich young man who became a follower of Christ and did everything right until Jesus asked him to give up his possessions. That man remains nameless because he walked away, sad because he could not give up all that he had accumulated for Jesus.

Others who appear in our salvation history were enthusiastic in their response. The young David didn't hesitate for a moment to challenge Goliath. Isaiah said, "Here I am. Send me." Joseph risked scandal by taking the pregnant Mary as his wife. And of course Mary's response was so simple yet eloquent, "Let it be done according to your will."

Vincentians respond to their call in just as many different ways. Some, who had knowledge of our Society and were just waiting to be asked, answered with a resounding "Yes!" Others needed to be invited, encouraged, and even pleaded with before they joined. Whatever the circumstance of the invitation and the initial response, every Vincentian answered positively. That is the reason we are here. We are lay people who have responded to our vocation to serve Christ in His poor.

But it isn't over because of one small yes. Being Vincentian requires that we continue to say yes, over and over again. Saying yes to attending meetings and making home visits is just the beginning. We say yes to serving our sister and brother Vincentians in their spiritual growth, yes to becoming advocates within our communities, yes to responding to national and global issues and yes to so much more.

Why is this? Conversion is a continuous and continuing activity. Humans grow and change from birth until the end of life. When we stop, we die. So it is with our Vincentian life. We take on new projects and responsibilities within the Society. Each new experience helps us grow closer to our fellow Vincentians and to Christ.

Sometimes we feel inadequate to take the next step. When I was hesitant about taking on new responsibilities a passage from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians gave me courage:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

That doesn't mean that I will never fail. It just tells me that if something is God's will, God will give me strength to do what needs to be done. As a fisherman, Peter knew he couldn't walk on water, but when Jesus said, "Come" Peter put aside any fear. For as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, Peter walked on the water.

If only we Vincentians all had such deep trust! We believe that it is God's will that what Blessed Frederic began should carry on. There should never be a shortage of candidates for any office or appointment because the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Every individual member can do whatever God wills through Christ who strengthens her/him.

God give me the strength to say "Yes!"

Submitted by:

Denise Bondy, Chair
ONRC Spirituality Committee