Showing posts with label Answering God's Call. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Answering God's Call. Show all posts

Saturday, April 20, 2013

New Vocations to religious life


Today was a day in which I presented a workshop to my Sisters on how we might promote new vocations to religious life and in particular to the congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. After all, each of us has experienced unbelievable blessings as women religious and, in particular, as members of this community. That does not mean that life has not, at times, been challenging or difficult. That is live in any vocation, be it marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life. Following the workshop, I was looking at “New Vocations” and created the following reflection:
 
Nearly all who are attracted to religious life are inspired by joy of present members,

Every authentic vocation originates from God.

When God calls, those who hear His call and response are truly blessed!

 

Victorious are those who say “yes” to God’s will.

Openness to God’s will brings peace.

Come and see the fruit of giving one’s whole heart, soul and mind to Christ.

Always trust God’s Spirit to guide you on the right path.

Truly, growing in intimacy with God and with others in Christ is the essence of religious life.

Inviting others to religious life can spark a vocation waiting to be called forth by another.

Only those of strong faith and a deep trust say “yes” to God’s call and continue that “yes”

         every day of their lives as women and men religious.

Never doubt that God will not see you through to the end.

See, “I am with you always.”

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Called to make tough decisions


JONAH’S CALL:   In today’s first reading we are told the story of Jonah.  Like Jonah, each of us, at times, is called to carry out God’s will in daunting circumstances in our lives.  It takes much courage to walk into our “Nineveh’s.” Sometimes we take detours just as Jonah did.  It may take us awhile to come out of hiding and acknowledging the fact that things are not going well because we are avoiding doing what  we know we are called to do.  Like Jonah we may not cherish the task ahead of us.  We may be scared of looking like a fool, as Jonah was.  “What if I’m proven wrong?”  “What if the outcome is not what I anticipate it to be?”  All kinds of reasons may lurk behind our cowardly actions or our avoidance of tough decisions.    Somehow, God gets through to us and we “plow ahead,” taking on the tough issue. Consequently, disaster does not happen and the pain was worth our courageous efforts. We survived the embarrassing situation, learned to listen better to God’s call, repented and ended up being proud of who we are and who we are becoming. God is, too!