MY LIFE...
MY ANSWER...
What is the meaning of life for someone in their twenties? Young people would mention shopping, partying, friends to hang out with... In short - having fun. Yet, for a growing number young Catholics the answer to the question of life seems to be a higher calling. These young believers are rediscovering that the pursuit of happiness involves neither wealth nor sex but is destined for something greater. ‘Why not give God a chance?’ seems to be a new possibility for those who have tried to satisfy their longings in other ways but find themselves longing for more.
Yet why is it so difficult for young people to say "Yes" in responding to a call to priesthood or religious life? I had been contemplating that question for quite some time when a young man, who, just two weeks before had expressed a strong interest in the priesthood, e-mailed me to say he could not attend a live-in as planned, because he was afraid of being influenced by comments that promote priestly life!
I am sure that Jesus had to face the rejection of many invitations in his day, and he faces many rejections of his invitations to priesthood and religious life today. There are large numbers of men and women, younger and not so young, who have been called to religious vocations, and yet they have responded with the excuses of today that led them to say, "Not now. Maybe later, Jesus."
To some extent good Catholics have encouraged these delay strategies. They say things like, "Test the call. If it is authentic it will be there after university or after a few years of work. There's plenty of time; you're still young. Why all the hurry?" While these might be well-meaning bits of advice, they can mislead a young man or woman into thinking that he or she should put aside a religious call and pursue other paths because the religious call, if authentic, will always be there.
I have spoken with more than a few men who reasoned along these lines when they were younger. Though feeling the call to the priesthood they pursued other paths at that time. Some have married and now they feel a desire for priesthood. They realized too late that the call really never left them. When they chose to say, "Not now" they got themselves into a reality where they can no longer say "Yes" without disrupting their other commitments.
There are stories in the Gospels, of would-be-disciples who just could not say "Yes". Yet Jesus was not pleased with their "Not now". Why? Well, he was indicating that for every person there is a critical moment in life when we either respond positively to Jesus' call or we don't. There is no incident in the Gospels where Jesus says "Come away next year to follow me," or "Follow me when you think you're ready". There is immediacy to the call that demands a response now, because there is no guarantee that Jesus will be knocking on one's door or calling one's name tomorrow or next week or next year. One needs to say "Yes" whenever and wherever Jesus calls.
I am convinced that, if we are to make a mistake in interpreting the call, it is better to err on God's side. It is far better to say "Yes" now, perhaps discover that seminary life and priesthood or religious life are not good fits, and move on to something different, than to say "Not yet" now and then discover too late that priesthood or religious life was the right thing to pursue.
What is more, if you are between 17 and 35 years... if you are thinking about reconnecting or connecting more deeply with the Church... if you are searching, in your life or within yourself for God, or for yourself... if you notice a desire to spend more time in prayer, in serving others or simply working for justice... why not give God a chance yourself?
Yet why is it so difficult for young people to say "Yes" in responding to a call to priesthood or religious life? I had been contemplating that question for quite some time when a young man, who, just two weeks before had expressed a strong interest in the priesthood, e-mailed me to say he could not attend a live-in as planned, because he was afraid of being influenced by comments that promote priestly life!
I am sure that Jesus had to face the rejection of many invitations in his day, and he faces many rejections of his invitations to priesthood and religious life today. There are large numbers of men and women, younger and not so young, who have been called to religious vocations, and yet they have responded with the excuses of today that led them to say, "Not now. Maybe later, Jesus."
To some extent good Catholics have encouraged these delay strategies. They say things like, "Test the call. If it is authentic it will be there after university or after a few years of work. There's plenty of time; you're still young. Why all the hurry?" While these might be well-meaning bits of advice, they can mislead a young man or woman into thinking that he or she should put aside a religious call and pursue other paths because the religious call, if authentic, will always be there.
I have spoken with more than a few men who reasoned along these lines when they were younger. Though feeling the call to the priesthood they pursued other paths at that time. Some have married and now they feel a desire for priesthood. They realized too late that the call really never left them. When they chose to say, "Not now" they got themselves into a reality where they can no longer say "Yes" without disrupting their other commitments.
There are stories in the Gospels, of would-be-disciples who just could not say "Yes". Yet Jesus was not pleased with their "Not now". Why? Well, he was indicating that for every person there is a critical moment in life when we either respond positively to Jesus' call or we don't. There is no incident in the Gospels where Jesus says "Come away next year to follow me," or "Follow me when you think you're ready". There is immediacy to the call that demands a response now, because there is no guarantee that Jesus will be knocking on one's door or calling one's name tomorrow or next week or next year. One needs to say "Yes" whenever and wherever Jesus calls.
I am convinced that, if we are to make a mistake in interpreting the call, it is better to err on God's side. It is far better to say "Yes" now, perhaps discover that seminary life and priesthood or religious life are not good fits, and move on to something different, than to say "Not yet" now and then discover too late that priesthood or religious life was the right thing to pursue.
What is more, if you are between 17 and 35 years... if you are thinking about reconnecting or connecting more deeply with the Church... if you are searching, in your life or within yourself for God, or for yourself... if you notice a desire to spend more time in prayer, in serving others or simply working for justice... why not give God a chance yourself?
1 comment:
For sure, the life of a twenty year old youth presents more dreams than opportunities, thus leading to many paths that give mainly self satisfaction.
For many youths to say "YES" means to give up your talents and your gifts. But it's not ... they become pure and even more powerful because they would be giving it power through GOD.
But we should be honest and say that it is a life of sacrifice and work because it's the life of our Lord. So it's not simply sitting down praying all day but doing things for other people and obviously praying.
Saying "yes" is not becoming a ruler or a king but downgrading your social aspect down to serve but upgrading yourself to the full because you're serving GOD and HIS people, not yours. A priest is not their to dictate, nor to rule. But to serve in the name of who sent him.
I must add that priesthood seems tough and I think it is. It's for real men, determined to serve GOD in a dull world most of the time.
But the courage of a "yes" comes forth when one thinks of the courage and enthusiasm of the Apostles towards Jesus. If only we could have that courage and taste that enthusiasm, then the world would be a great paradise of Christians.
To conclude with a taste of faith: "And I came back to the Lord, that's where I found everything." The pearl in the treasure box of priesthood should be worth it ... it's JESUS!!
Antoine :-)
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