Sr Maria Robb’s Reflection on the 5th Week of Lent.
This coming Wednesday, March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, Daughters is Charity all over the world, renew their vows. We do this every year on the Feast of the Annunciation. It’s a beautiful gift that St Vincent and St Louise left to the Community.
People always ask me if renewing my vows annually means I can walk away from it all on the 25th March if I’ve had enough…..but renewing our vows each year isn’t about that.
Like Mary at the Annunciation, when we as Daughters of Charity say our ‘Yes’ to serving God in His sisters and brothers who are poor, we are making a life long commitment.
The grace of renewing our vows is about renewing that ‘Yes’. It’s a time to reflect on how I am living my commitment today and to offer who I am today to God.
I stand in awe when I see Daughters of Charity, 60 or 70 years vocation, renewing their vows, giving all they’ are to God to serve Him in those who are poor. Their ‘Yes’ is as profound today as it was when they made their first vows 50 or 60 years earlier; they just live out these vows within the reality of who they are today.
I find it wonderful to renew our vows during Lent. It makes me realise that each year as I journey with Jesus on the road to Calvary, I journey as I am today….not the 7 year old giving up sweets, but the adult Jesus calls to walk beside Him on the road. Sometimes He will invite me to be Veronica and wipe His face. He may invite me to help carry His cross when it feels too heavy. He may only need me to walk the road with Him. Whatever the role, all He asks for is my faithfulness.
As you journey through this 5th week of Lent, take time to reflect on the many invitations God has given to you as a Vincentian, to help Him carry His cross.
Look back over the years to see the different ways He has invited you to walk with Him on the road to Calvary. What is He asking if you this Lent?
