Love Is the Gift
PALANCA [pah·lahn·kah] — a Spanish word meaning lever.
In Via de Cristo, Palanca means an outward expression of agape love through prayer and sacrifice, offered to God in petition for grace — so that, as apostles, we may accomplish more than we would otherwise be capable of.
We are told in the New Testament that “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). To be a righteous person is to obey God, who in His earthly form commanded us to love and pray for each other.
Palanca is taking time out — at times that may be entirely inconvenient — to pray for all who are attending the weekend. Palanca is not directed at individuals; it is meant for the entire weekend community.
Mark Carnes, our National Palanca Chairperson, puts it this way: “Palanca is sacrificial. In some small way it demonstrates the sacrifice that Christ made for each of us as He gave His life that we might be saved. If your Palanca is not sacrificial, it is not palanca.” Is prayer palanca? Prayer is sacrificial and is palanca. It takes your time and energy in an important and beneficial way — in fact, it is the most meaningful form of palanca. Did you and your reunion group remember to pray for the weekends taking place throughout the world?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” — Romans 12:12
“The Lord is near to all who call on him.” — Psalm 145:18
Serving a weekend elsewhere? Take our community’s love with you.
Download the Palanca Letter“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.” — St. John Vianney
De Colores
