The following is the first chapter from “Turn Everything to Love, a rule of life for lay members of the Vincentian Family” by Father Bob Maloney, CM.

Christ is the absolute center. He is the Rule, as St. Vincent often said. This seems so obvious, but nothing is more important. At home with the family, at work with colleagues, at school, in the parish, or anywhere else, the lay member of the Vincentian Family aims to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 13:14). “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” Jesus says, “no one comes to the Father except through me.” “I am the gate.” “I am the shepherd. ” “I am the light. ” “I am the vine. ” “I am the true bread come down from heaven. The one who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood will live forever.”

The Risen Lord has broken through the limits of time and place. He asks followers in every era to learn from Him: that He comes from the Father and goes to the Father; that He speaks the truth with courage and love, that He is gentle and humble of heart, that He calls us His friends, that He brings good news especially to the poor and sick, to the broken-hearted and sinners, to prisoners and captive peoples, and that He is faith even unto death.

Following Christ does not mean copying His life literally. The life-circumstances of a 21st-century Catholic are quite different from those of a 1st-century Jew. While some practices from Jesus’ time and place can be transposed to ours, others cannot. The living Church, the community of believers gathered in the Lord’s name and confirmed in faith by the pope and the college of bishops, will strengthen you in interpreting the Word of God in today’s context.

Christ is present to you in many ways: especially in His word, in the Eucharist, in the community that forms His body, and in the suffering members when He calls His brothers and sisters.

By His preaching and His actions, Christ will teach you what love is. “The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us; so, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 Jn 3:16). So, be con­verted to love each day.

With Christ, you are called to take the road to Jerusalem, the city of suffering and glorification. As you journey, know that the Lord himself accompanies you. Listen to His words as He speaks with you. Recog­nize that you are called to serve and not to be served. Help others bear their burdens. Share your goods with the needy.

During the journey, “keep [your] eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Do not hesitate to go where He leads you. Do not look back, nor stay where you are. Look to the future with confidence in the Lord.

The chapters that follow propose to you a way of focusing on Christ. Most of all, they call you to listen to him as the Word of God and allow him to penetrate your mind and heart. Christ’s way of seeing, feeling, thinking, judging, and acting is to become your way.

Meditate for 10 minutes each morning on the person or the words of Christ as found in the Scriptures.

Or, meditate before an icon, focusing on the compassion of Jesus.

Carry away a word or phrase from mediation and repeat it reflectively at quiet moments during the day, such while waiting in line or riding in the car.

As an alternative, repeat the “Jesus Prayer” often throughout the day: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Strive to see Christ in the vulnerable and the marginalized, whether direct or indirect. Recall that the needy you serve are your brothers and sisters with whom Christ identifies. Be conscious that the Church, in order to be faithful, must have a special bond with the poor.