Part of my ministry as Director of Vocations involves speaking with many different people about Vocations. Lately, this has caused me more and more to reflect on my own call and how I have seen God manifest himself in my life. Though there is often great variety in people’s life experiences as well as in their interests, hobbies, gifts and talents, there are often some very striking similarities involved in sensing and following God’s call. When I think about "my call" I think of God’s pervasive presence in my life and how I gradually became more and more aware of not only God’s presence in my life, but his call to priesthood.
"I Can’t Do It!"
I am always fascinated (and sometimes amazed) with the questions I get asked when speaking with groups. These questions seem to fall into several different categories such as "things priests do" or "how God calls". Very often there is a focus on what priests and religious are NOT allowed to do. When discussing a religious vocation, the first thing that usually arises in conversation is the fact that priests and religious sisters and brothers do not marry. From the outside there is a certain amount of attention given to the sacrifices that are made in pursuing a religious vocation. While some of this is quite natural, at times there seems to be a disproportionate amount of attention given to the sacrifice aspect of vocation. This strikes me as a bit odd for people generally don’t focus on sacrifice when discussing marriage or other walks of life. This is not to say that there are not sacrifices in other ways of life (indeed there are!). While there are sacrifices involved in responding to God’s call in a dedicated life of service to the Church, these things are not the focus in this way of life.
As Catholics, we believe that God calls us all to live our lives in a special way. It is in discovering God’s plan for our lives and living it out that we ultimately find true happiness and lasting fulfillment. The question of "can’t" needs to be replaced with the possibilities of "can." As I look at my priesthood, I am continually amazed at all the things that God has brought into it. Responding to God’s call and saying "yes" to his will opens life up to the possibility of so much more. Priesthood and Religious Life is not about those things one cannot do, rather it is about all those other areas that now become accessible. While there is sacrifice in a religious vocation, there are so many other things that are part of this way of life that would not be possible were it lived in another way.
"The Joyful Gift of Celibacy!"
As a priest I have made a commitment to dedicate my life to God and the care of his people. I have relinquished the possibility of a spouse and children of my own so that I might serve the larger family of humanity. This has precisely been my experience in ministry. Celibacy has opened my life up to greater possibilities. I am part of a much larger family. The very fact that we use words like "father" "sister" and "brother" to refer to those with a religious vocation indicates the intimacy and inclusion within the family of the Church. There is so much that fills my life which have come as a result of those initial and ongoing sacrifices. For those called, it is a life of great fulfillment and happiness that supercedes the limited expectations of the human heart. From my point of view those sacrifices that I have made seem very small indeed!
"Answering Those Questions"
There are many questions that we ask about life, especially when we think about the future, like "Where am I going?" "How do I get there?" "Will I be happy?" or "What is God calling me to do with my life? Unfortunately, at times our society pressures us to make decisions based solely on external criteria, such as, "Will this be good for my career?" or "Will this allow me to make lots of money?" Instead of asking the question, "Is this right for me?," we settle for questions like "What can I do to fit in?"
"Where To Find The Answers"
As you ponder your future, you must move beyond the mere external and ask the deeper questions. Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are not found in career books, magazine ads, college brochures, or even in the advice of guidance counselors. Answering these more profound questions begins with the realization that this is an internal exercise of the heart and an exercise of prayer more than anything else. Although every person may reflect and discern in their own way, I would promote a few basic steps.
-
First, pray for direction. Spend regular time in a quiet place whether that be in a church, in a place of natural beauty, or even in your own room. Ask God for his help and guidance. God will answer these prayers. Sometimes it might be answered in a direct experience of prayer. Other times, it might be answered through other circumstances or by people around you. But if you pray, it opens your heart to recognize the signs that God gives to you.
-
Secondly, talk with others. Consider your gifts. Seek direction from people that you already know and trust, who already have a relationship with the Lord. Perhaps that will be a priest, a religious sister or brother, or a parent.
-
Thirdly, be aware of your feelings. What is it that truly brings you satisfaction, peace, and joy? Know your fears and know that God calls you past those fears.
-
Lastly, trust God. Know and believe that God loves you and wants what is best for you. God has made you a unique person. Your gifts, the gift of your life, your background and circumstances, come together to form a wonderful mosaic. It is that priceless work that is you that God calls forth.Remember that ultimately, true happiness does not come in imitating what other do, or living up to the expectations of peers or family members. True, lasting, and profound happiness is found solely in embracing the will of God.
"Fear Is Useless, What Is Needed Is Trust."
Our fears tend to hold us back and keep us from acting. Fear is not a sign of God’s presence. Those who would have us not follow God often play upon our fears. Sometimes, people think that they must wait until they are 100% sure. If you’re waiting for that it’s probably never going to happen. The great people in the Scriptures all moved past their fears and anxieties and allowed God to work through them - people like Abraham, Moses, Mary, and the Apostles! Jesus reminds us not to put off to tomorrow what can be done today. Sometimes, our fears get the best of us and we keep putting God off. No doubt there is risk, there is uncertainty, there is doubt. But by placing our hands in God and trusting in him we cannot go wrong. There is probably no perfect time. Why wait until tomorrow? Don’t put off the good that God wants and needs you to do for him today! It is virtually impossible to answer all these questions alone. That is why there are seminaries (places of preparation and ongoing discernment), Spiritual Directors, Vocation Directors, etc. All these are there not to try to convince you to do something against your will, but rather to assist you to know and accept the will of God in your life!
For more information contact:
Fr. Len Plazewski
Email: spvocation@dosp.org
Director of Vocations
P. O. Box 40200
St. Petersburg, FL 33743 - 0200
(727) 345-3452
