I created you!
As we have mentioned before, we each have a special purpose. That purpose is called a vocation. When I say the word vocation, what comes to mind? We usually think of religious sisters and priests when we talk about vocations. However, everyone has a vocation. Your vocation is the state of life that you are called to live. Some of us are called to be married, some to be single. Some of us are called to religious life in a monastery or working with those in need. Your vocation is a very special part of who you are.
We are all created to be a part of a family. That family can look like many different things. For some, it is a family of a husband, a wife, and children. For others, their family is a religious community. A priest is the head of his family and his parishioners are his children. Whatever it is, we must remember that the family is the building block of God’s plan. When God created humans, He created a man and a woman who then had children. They were one of the first families. The very first family is the Trinity. We have God the Father, God the Holy Spirit who active love of the Father, and then we have God the Son. They are a very unique family, and it is hard for us to understand that mystery well, but we can see that Our Father always intended His Kingdom to be based on the love of a family.
Have you ever heard God speak to your heart?(show hands) Have you ever heard God speak to you in a way that you felt you could actually hear His words? (show of hands) God is always speaking, we just need to take the time and space to listen. I have had a couple of experiences that I actually felt like I heard someone speaking to me. It took my breath away. I have heard little whispers in my heart, too. However, there are lots of times that life gets busy, or I get cranky and upset, that I stop listening. Our world is very noisy. We like to have lots of activity and noise. Everywhere we go there is music playing, televisions on, and people talking. Getting some quiet can be hard, but it is really necessary. When we take some time to be quiet it gives our mind and body a break. It’s like a mini vacation. If you are feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, you probably need a little bit of quiet.
What are some places or some ways that you find a little quiet time? My favorite place to find quiet is at Adoration. I also try to go to a Traditional Latin Mass whenever I can, because I find it very peaceful. However you find your quiet time, make sure to include some time for prayer. On of my favorite prayers of discernment is , “speak LORD, your servant is listening.” I pray that whenever I feel confused about what God wants me to do. Then I sit and listen! Really listen. It is hard, and I don’t always do the best job, but really opening your heart and your ears to the words of God will change your life. Once you have prayed and listened--even if you didn’t hear an answer--wrap up your prayer time with another little prayer, “Not my will, by Your Will be done!”
In finding our vocations, we might be surprised what they are. We may have a vision of exactly how we want our life to turn out, and then God shows us what He wants. It can be hard to change our mind, but we have to remember that following God always leads to joy and peace. Our new pastor was originally an actor and a teacher. He was engaged to a beautiful, Catholic lady and planned on raising a large family. However, God kept calling his heart to the priesthood. It was difficult to change his whole plan for the future, but he knew he had to do it and he is so glad that he did. Do any of you feel called to a certain vocation? Whatever vocation you are drawn to, remember to take time to discern, which means to decide if this is really what God wants for you. When my husband and I got engaged, we spent a lot of time praying and studying to decide where God wanted us. We really wanted to get married and have a family but we wanted for to follow God wherever He led us.
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