Born on a Journey and in the Silence of Homelessness

by
Rene Vaoillaume

Jesus came into this world, but he did not tell anyone, even those who were closest to him, who he was. If had entered the world in a home in Nazareth, his coming would have been celebrated with great rejoicing by all his relatives and all his neighbors and all those who lived in the town. But he was born on a journey and in the midst of a great number of unknown people. So he really does belong to everyone – and he came reticently making no noise. There is no doubt that God might have been able to do much more to spread the news of his coming, but it is clear that he does not want to thrust his son upon us. He wants us to come to him. We have to discover him. Yes, Jesus is infinitely reticent. He waits. All the historical events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem at the turn of the age proclaim God in the silence of words. They were prophetic events speaking in silence to all the generations that have followed. But they are not in any way insistent, demanding to be understood at once. Jesus is patient. He has time.

Father Rene Vaoillaume left this world in 2003, however he left behind the legacy of founding the Little Brothers and Sisters of the Gospel.

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Radical Luke

by
Edward Schillebeeckx

[In Luke’s gospel] there were all kinds of conflicts between the rich and the poor! Luke wrote his gospel with these conflicts in mind. What the rich young man in Luke’s gospel couldn’t do, then, these twelve men [the apostles] were able to do.

In another part of his gospel, Luke presents Zacchaeus, the tax collector, to his church as an example. Luke tells us the tax collector was a rich man who promised to give half of his property to the poor. So we have two examples – first the twelve who had voluntarily become poor and then Zacchaeus, who gave away half of his possessions. These are held up before the people who belonged to Luke’s community as orientation figures. [Today] we sit here and talk about whether we should give over two or three percent of our income to the poor. Luke however says: “Give half of your goods to the poor!” He is saying something very radical here – and he is saying it to the middle class Church, which is what we in fact are. None of us gives half of our goods to the poor! But that is what Luke is asking the Church to do in his gospel.

Edward Schillebeeckx, born in 1914, a Dominican and one of the foremost Christian philosophers of modern time, stressed that theology ought to reflect on the practice of faith.

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Christmas Treats on the Streets

The Holiday Week in Pics
From tangerines, sweaters, socks, blankets and jackets to handmade Christmas cards, bubble gum, Carl's Junior burgers, Starbucks and Noah's Bagels - Paulist Productions, Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Sebastian's, Sacred Heart and Saint Peter's - school kids and families made this month's Homeless in America StreetReach happen for more than 125 homeless women, men, children and teens!

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Merry Christmas from the Servants of the Father of Mercy!

Make a Smilebox greeting

It's the Last Week of Advent, Christmas is nigh and Jesus Speaks ... "Behold I am coming soon!"

The Bible tells us that we must not only live in the Spirit, but also, we must walk in the Spirit. In our modern-day language, we often speak about a “way of life” or “walking-the-talk.” Coincidentally, Christians were first referred to in Acts chapter 9 as those who “belong to the way.”

With that point made, it could be said that everyone is on a pilgrimage. Being unsettled in this life is the condition of each human’s journey. Thus, homeless brothers and sisters living on our streets and in alleyways should be of no surprise to any of us. In actuality, we are all - each and everyone homeless. In that case, should we not reach out to the homeless and unite with them in our identical journeys?

Further, the fact that we belong “to the Way” denotes a pilgrimage and underscores the homelessness of each follower of Christ. The Way warns us that we are each involved in a purely physical activity of getting from one place to another. Each of us has an uncommon amount of restlessness and getting about that is part and parcel the nature of the Christian pilgrimage. The “Way” also warns us that we have no permanent abode here on earth.

Since we are all homeless, all of us on a pilgrimage, so then, what is the Goal of it all? The Goal is God himself, His first-coming in Bethlehem, His coming through repentance and conversion in each heart that receives Him, His coming at the moment of death and His soon Second Coming again. Jesus speaks, “Behold I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:12). Have you embraced your homeless journey (the sign of which is reaching out to the poor and homeless) or has materialism, sin, the enemy and comfort attachments deceived you into thinking that you have a home here on earth?
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The Paradox

One can love God whom one does not see only by loving one’s visible neighbor. In Ignatian spirituality, radical love of “my neighbor” (the unlovable - as per Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan), this type of love requires complete abandonment of self – a self-forgetting of myself, my own wants, my own desires, my own addictions. A person who has genuinely prayed for and has been gifted this sort of abandonment becomes homeless in the true sense of the word. As a result, a person of sincere self-abandonment for others becomes homeless in the incomprehensibility of who God is. Now the person can identify more easily with society’s marginalized people, the poor and the homeless. The paradox is that when we get lost in the totally incomprehensible God, we become homeless and then we find our eternal home – we enter into His peace!
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In a Season when all that Glitters is not Gold ...

O Lord, your saints gave up all their love of this world and its goods in order to honor you and be free to help others find you without hindrances.

R Once again, remind us Lord that our happiness lies in you alone!

In a season when all that glitters is not gold;
- grant us freedom from the world’s clutter and be absorbed in the wealth of following you. R

For all those who are controlled by love of money, power and social status:
- allow them glimpses of the shallow pond that it all lies within. R

In a season where many live in poverty and have no home or shelter;
- grant them the peace of the manger, the light of the star and the protection of a guardian father. R
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Rahner and St. Ignatius on being Priest, Pastor & Leader

In a profound article on spirituality and essence of priesthood, [Karl] Rahner (+1984) said that St. Ignatius of Loyola wanted both to be ordained a priest and to found an Order of priests [Jesuits]. “However,” Rahner writes, … “This was simply because, for him, it was concretely the most practical way and condition of the possibility of getting on with what he really wanted to do. In his own spirituality he was not at all terribly insistent about saying Mass; if I remember rightly, he waited a whole year after his ordination before he got as far as that, but then he said Mass very gladly and with immense devotion.

“But with his first companions, he went into prisons and ministered to the sick. For him it was enormously important to be in the closest possible contact with the poor and the socially underprivileged of his time in the prisons and go into the hideous hospitals of that period, to convert prostitutes in Rome, perhaps also to run a school to inspire princesses, etc. In a word, what he in fact did seems open to the inane verdict or objection that it could all have been achieved by people who were not priests. … Preaching the Gospel, ministering to the poor, defending the underprivileged, following Jesus in this sense, prayer, a mystical sphere of one’s own existence, are just as much part of the priestly office as – and I do not mean it in a pejorative [negative] sense – being able to say Mass.”

Excerpt from the book, "Karl Rahner, Mystic of Everyday Life" by Harvey D. Egan, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1998.

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One Look at Our Own Poverty and We have the Inspiration to serve others in their Poverty

by

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (+1751)

"I experience impetuous desires of acquiring the gift of prayer, humility, gentleness, the love of God; to this I reply: Let us not think so much about our own interests: my duty is to occupy myself simply and quietly with God, to accomplish his will in all that He asks of me at the moment. That is my task; everything else I leave in the care of God; my advancement is his business as mine is to occupy myself ceaselessly with him and to execute his orders.

"My advancement is His business. A good thought to meditate on when we become impatient with ourselves, or worse, with God for not making us perfect yesterday. Ironically, that very spiritual impatience hinders our growth.

"It occurs to me that I am still so imperfect, so full of defects and meannesses, of infidelities and weaknesses; how long will it be before I am delivered from these things? I reply at once: By the grace of God I do not love my faults, I am resolved to combat them; but I shall only be delivered from them when it may please God to deliver me. That is his affair, mine is to hate these faults and to fight them with patience, penitence, and humility until it pleases God to give me the victory over them.

"The thought occurs to me: But I am so blind that I do not even know my faults, yet my duty is to lament them before God and confess them; I at once reply: I wish to know my faults, I no longer live in voluntary dissipation of mind, I spend a certain time quietly examining my conscience. This is what God demands of me; he will give me more light and knowledge when he thinks it well to do so; that is his affair; I have placed all my spiritual progress in his hands; it is, therefore, enough for the present for me to accuse myself of a few daily faults, as God gives me to know them, adding to them a sin of my past life."

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Faith in Action

Christians come from a long tradition of caring for the poor and the homeless as an integral part of their “faith in action.” From the years 1817 – 1872 comes an inspiration that reaches out to us even today in the life of Maria Luisa Merkert (photo). Born in Nysa, now Poland, Maria and her sister Maltide received a solid foundation in their faith from their widowed mother. Both girls entered adulthood inspired to seek a religious vocation. Upon their mother’s death and still in their twenties, both sisters devoted themselves to the care of the poor, the ill and the abandoned. Soon both joined with a Franciscan Third Order, Clara Wolff in her calling to visit the needy. Both had dedicated themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There were risks to this life of poverty that both had chosen. In less than four years, Matilde died of typhus she had contracted in her nursing labors to the poor and needy. Maria persevered in her care for the sick and ultimately with Francis Werner, co-founded a group of women servants dedicated to the tending of the ill and the poor under the name, the Grey Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.
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We must dare to go beyond our own self-perceived contentment …

For those who find comfort in their own lovely home, addictions (photo), in their own self-sufficiency and in their own ability to make money, win friends and influence people – for those who are already comfortable, “Comfort, O comfort My people” is irrelevant. Yet, we must dare to go beyond our own self-perceived contentment and realize how it is all perishable, it is all temporal – it will never satisfy. Temporary consolation will come – if that. We are all “homeless.” We are all estranged sheep in need of the Shepherd to comfort us. He will come and give us shelter, peace and safety if we will only yield to ourselves to be found and to rest without resistance in His arms.

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." A voice is calling, clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; lift it up, do not fear say to the cities of Judah, “here is your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes with care. Isaiah 40:1-11

PS. Have mercy on our street-side family and send a generous donation to our StreetReach homeless outreach providing food, prayer aids and clothing this Christmas. Servants of the Father of Mercy, Inc., P.O. Box 42001, Los Angeles, CA 90042.
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Suddenly on the Skids

Today in the Los Angeles Times, artist, Robert Carter published a thought provoking ½ page color painting depicting a modern (similar to this look - see photo) “yuppie family” standing alongside homeless beggars in a “Free Soup for the Homeless” line. The article by David Colker, “Suddenly on the Skids” introduces recession readers to the number 211. It’s like 411 or 911, except you use it when you are in financial distress and in the threat of becoming homeless. 211 is suddenly receiving calls from families, who just a few months ago were making 70 – 80k a year. Now, 211 is the new consumer information guide for people in financial peril. It is available in most SoCal counties and is available 24/7. The staffers have the ability to refer callers to emergency shelters, food supplies and much more. One woman, a caller to 211 reported she had to sleep in her car the past four nights. After told that there are shelters for people like her, she said, “I thought shelters were only for people who are homeless.” Executive Director of LA County 211, M. Marin said the number of calls received each month has jumped from 30,000 last year to just over 50,000 now.
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The Keys are in the Suffering

About six months ago, we set out to ask readers about the problem of suffering. Certainly most of us have experience in this regard. One does not have to be homeless to encounter suffering, although it is quite prevalent in the lives of the poor. It appears as though the keys to sanctification and the keys to personal growth are in the suffering. The keys are hidden more in the valleys of our lives … more so than on the mountain tops.

The question was asked … Do you believe that the many forms of personal suffering in this life play a positive role in an individual's sanctification and that overall we should rejoice in trials and suffering?

There were 44 respondents - 81% (36) answered “Yes.” Only 18% (8) said “No.”

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Still Living out Jesus' Birth

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

For the homeless, it gets bone chilling cold and damp living under the bridges and in the alleyways of downtown Los Angeles this time of year. The chilly Pacific-driven winds and rains can last for days and catch many unprepared. On December 21st, Servants of the Father of Mercy will deliver winter supplies in conjunction with the celebration of Christmas and those homeless who are still living out Jesus’ birth; “There was no room for them in the inn.”

Within the next two weeks, we hope to acquire enough winter supplies to help 150 men, women and teenagers on December 21st. By giving alms, you can help too. Invite family and friends to help as well. You may choose to assign 100% of your donation to any of the following needs:

* Sweat pants and sweat shirts
* Athletic socks and underwear
* Blankets and warm sleeping bags
* T-shirts
* Sweaters and jackets
* Tangerines
* Bottled water
* Packaged individual snacks
* Bibles and prayer aids

Also, you may wish to support SFM administrative costs that keep the organization growing and giving - for such things as phone, internet, office, etc. Indicate that as well if you are donating to help SFM serve. Please write us and let us know where you wish your alms to go. Checks may be made out to …

Servants of the Father of Mercy, Inc.
P.O. Box 42001
Los Angeles, CA 90042

Also, you may wish to participate in helping SFM to deliver the supplies. Email us at Contact@ServantsoftheFather.org in order to reserve your spot on our team in helping with this StreetReach.
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May Charity be the Root

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life. Amen. Ephesians 3:17

We pray …
Lord, hear the cry of the poor!

For all those who choose to become wealthy at the expense of the poor …
- grant them conversion of heart.

For all those who regard the poor and homeless as nuisances rather than a blessing and a gift …
- open their eyes, open their ears, open their minds.

For those heroes in our country who care for the poor with little thanks and little reward …
- grant them the reward of eternal life.
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One of those Rare Gems in Christian History

Saint Martin of Tours (b. 316) is one of those rare gems in Christian history that 1,700 years later, still points us to the real face of Christ in the world - the poor, the misunderstood and the forgotten. Martin is remembered for many stories, but one in particular is striking. One day he encountered a shivering beggar and immediately stopped, tore his warm cloak in half and compassionately gave it to the man. We assume that he did say to the man, “When will you get a job?” or “Here is a quarter.” In a dream that night, Martin learned that the beggar was Christ himself in the distressing disguise of a homeless man. St. Martin, all his life never lost his love for the poor or a life of uniting with them in personal poverty.

[Jesus said,] "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:13-15

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The Lord is an Abundant Helper, an Ever-Present Help in Time of Need

Psalm 146

Sometimes, when life gets so complicated and distressful all around us we ask - from where will come our help? Will it come from a friend, spouse, brother or sister? After a bit of maturity, we ultimately realize this is a lonely journey. In the end, when we are sick, lonely and especially when we are dying we discover no one can go with us, but One. Blessed is he whose help comes in the name of the Lord! We repent of our unmerciful ways. The wicked He will not help. The humble and the repentant, He will raise up.

R Blessed is he whose help comes in the name of the Lord!

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being ... R

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God.
The God who made the heavens and the earth.
Who keeps faith forever;
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry … R

The LORD sets the prisoners free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
The LORD protects the strangers … R

He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
The LORD will reign forever! R
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