Two men from my parish have recently been accepted into the permanent deaconate preparation program. One young man from my parish was recently ordained to the priesthood. Their are several groups of sisters who live in houses within my parish. We are a religious community, if you will excuse the play on words.
I don't really know a lot about the ordained or professed religious vocations. I do have a vocation. Mine is marriage. Over the years I have learned one or twenty things about the vocation of marriage. I am not sure if anybody is really "ready" to accept all the challenges that marriage throws at them. Grace, grace alone will get you through is my conclusion.
I have thought lately that the world, society, Christians, etc. would be in a better place if they viewed their lives as vocations. Vocations give the indication that there will be work and sacrifice. Marriage and especially most weddings today lead one to believe it is a bed of roses with hearts and flowers and candlelight dinners. When those expectations don't materialize or when they go away and are replaced with irritations, stress, anger, disappointment and all the other problems of life in our society the message I hear is--get out, leave, don't put up with it....etc.
Our lives are vocations. We have a journey to take with Christ. We are supposed to grow on that journey. It won't always be easy or happy and shaved ice doesn't necessarily appear when you are headed uphill in 100 degree weather. But, there should be joy even when the going gets tough. Because the tough times are opportunities to grow in wisdom, understanding, and love of the Lord.
I don't really know a lot about the ordained or professed religious vocations. I do have a vocation. Mine is marriage. Over the years I have learned one or twenty things about the vocation of marriage. I am not sure if anybody is really "ready" to accept all the challenges that marriage throws at them. Grace, grace alone will get you through is my conclusion.
I have thought lately that the world, society, Christians, etc. would be in a better place if they viewed their lives as vocations. Vocations give the indication that there will be work and sacrifice. Marriage and especially most weddings today lead one to believe it is a bed of roses with hearts and flowers and candlelight dinners. When those expectations don't materialize or when they go away and are replaced with irritations, stress, anger, disappointment and all the other problems of life in our society the message I hear is--get out, leave, don't put up with it....etc.
Our lives are vocations. We have a journey to take with Christ. We are supposed to grow on that journey. It won't always be easy or happy and shaved ice doesn't necessarily appear when you are headed uphill in 100 degree weather. But, there should be joy even when the going gets tough. Because the tough times are opportunities to grow in wisdom, understanding, and love of the Lord.