Archives for April 2018

Here we are in the Easter season—50 full days to soak in the rays of Resurrection grace! It is a blessed time to feel the power of God’s divine life surging within us in an entirely new way.

Well, what does the Resurrection have to do with the concept of vocation? Sometimes it seems as though we have been discerning forever, whatever the life choice in question might be. What religious community to enter, what mission work to sign up for, what to study, who to marry—all of these options weigh heavily upon us, day after day.

A keen observer once said: there is a danger of “paralysis by analysis”. At a time when we feel as immobile as our Lord himself was as he hung on the cross, we can remember that there is hope, there is life after the “death” of indecision! God’s plan is already in progress in us, even when we feel stagnant. Sometimes thinking less, praying more and observing God’s providence in our lives is the way to put our faith and trust into action. For in the end, whatever our path may be, it is Resurrection life, eternal life that God has in store for us!

As spring approaches and school graduations appear in the horizon, many young people are beginning to look to the future. Or perhaps a budding career has not blossomed, or a tragedy in life has brought priorities into question. “What’s next?” you might be asking yourself. Even more importantly, you might be asking that same question of God.

“Lord, what should I do with my life?”  When a thousand possible paths seem to present themselves, Pope Francis provides great insight into the discernment of a vocation. In his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, he says:

“The Lord’s call—let it be said at the outset—is not as clear-cut as any of those things we can hear, see or touch in our daily experience. God comes silently and discreetly, without imposing on our freedom. Thus it can happen that his voice is drowned out by the many worries and concerns that fill our minds and hearts.

We need, then, to learn how to listen carefully to his word and the story of his life, but also to be attentive to the details of our own daily lives, in order to learn how to view things with the eyes of faith, and to keep ourselves open to the surprises of the Spirit.”

Listening and perceiving God’s quiet voice in prayer and in daily events, then, is the first step to following God’s will!

 

Our Lady is front and center today, as we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation! We unabashedly boast of this beautiful maiden and mother of Christ, knowing full well that she would never promote herself. All the more reason to praise her!

We laud Mary today for accepting the largest mission of God given to anyone of the human race: to bear in her womb the Son of God, and to be utterly united with Jesus in his own mission of salvation. Only a woman as lowly and trusting as she could give a “yes” as tremendous as hers!

The Annunciation is also a beautiful day to remember the humility of the angels. Even in this image from Fra Angelico, Gabriel bows to a mere human being with honor and reverence. True, the angels knew that someday Mary would be elevated to become their Queen, and yet how fitting it is for these celestial creatures to be adorned with the virtue of humility which is the hallmark of God himself.

Pray for us, humble souls and angels adorning the courts of heaven, that we may one day join your ranks!

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph! Saints and sinners alike are devoted to this patron of the universal Church, and rightfully so. As the guardian of the holy family, he certainly had experience enough in his own life to now faithfully guard and guide us all.

Indeed, St. Joseph can identify with a great number of struggles that the rest of us encounter—scandal, confusion, exile, poverty, and the list goes on. Here was a man who, guided by light and grace, overcame obstacles and defied the odds to fulfill the divine will.

St. Joseph gives hope to those who come after him in our own earthly journey, for his God is our God. Pray for us, St. Joseph, that we may come to rejoice with you in heaven!