When I arrived at the Parish of the Resurrection in Old Town, back in mid September one of the first impressions I had of the pastor and people was the recitation of the Hail Mary for vocations. I quickly realized this was not a one time thing, as on Vocations Sunday, but a daily event here at the parish. This is a very significant practice. They may be very used to it by now, but I was and continue to be humbled at every hearing and speaking of the Hail Mary right after our personal communion, silence and thanksgiving. To hear a church full of people pray for vocations on weekends and likewise the small, devout group of faithful pray during the week amazes me.
Why does this small act, which takes only a few moments out of our week, move me so much? Why does it continue to be a highlight of my week? Because you and I are expressing our desire to God to continue his saving mission! You are asking God, dare I say begging God, to continue to provide priests who can by their ordination offer what no other man can offer: real forgiveness, and the deepest possible communion with Christ in the Eucharist. Likewise, you are asking God to give you men and women religious who by their total commitment of talent, time and treasure by their vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty witness to the world that only God is the Lord of all.
Why does this small act, which takes only a few moments out of our week, move me so much? Why does it continue to be a highlight of my week? Because you and I are expressing our desire to God to continue his saving mission! You are asking God, dare I say begging God, to continue to provide priests who can by their ordination offer what no other man can offer: real forgiveness, and the deepest possible communion with Christ in the Eucharist. Likewise, you are asking God to give you men and women religious who by their total commitment of talent, time and treasure by their vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty witness to the world that only God is the Lord of all.
This one Hail Mary is a starting place; for we must always start with prayer. Each of us is called to a life of promoting vocations, not simply in words, but in everything we live! Especially you who are married and have children, you are called to promote the vocation of your son(s) or daughter(s). Some parents may be embarrassed or confused about whether to invite their children to give their lives completely to God in and through their vocation. If there are any in the parish that fit this description, please entrust yourself, and your children all the more to God. When I asked my mom whether she was proud of her three sons, who each live different vocations, she said, “Yes, very early on I entrusted each of you to God. I gave you back to Him.” I encourage you to do the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment