Tuesday, August 21, 2012

oh no not... VOCATIONS!!! (yes a bit on vocations!)


When people talk about vocations, a lot of us start to squirm. “Here we go again!” that’s something that always used to come to my mind. I always used to feel as if the church was doing everything they could to recruit me and I got a little annoyed. I mean really just give it a rest. Well I lost; I am currently studying philosophy at the local seminary. God willing one day I will be a priest. How did I get here? That is a really long story I hope to tell you one day, but I want to talk to you about something else today. 

 Why is it worth thinking about your vocation now?
Yes when we use the word vocation we are usually referring to the call to priesthood and religious life, but it includes marriage and even single life. So when I use the word vocation, don’t take it as “oh this guy is trying to make me become a nun/brother/priest,” although I would love it if you did.

It is never too early to start thinking about what God wants from you! That’s all a vocation is guys… what God wants you to do with your life. God does want us all to be saints… that is what we call the common call to holiness... but God also wants each of us to live out a specific mission throughout our lives within the encompassing mission of Christ. So we kind of owe it to our all loving and all merciful God who is the cause for our life. How can you openly ignore the God who created you? I do it quite often actually, it’s called sin, but I don’t want to ignore God. I want to love and serve my Creator. The best way to do that is by honoring His wishes for me. So every day, if I do really believe that, it is my duty to pray, “God what do you want me to do?” It is not easy listening for a response but one always comes. I remember praying the most dangerous and most important prayer a person needs to pray, “whatever you want Lord, I am Yours,” and since the day  I said those words for the first time I have daily prayed “O` God, make me an instrument of Your will!”

It is important you ask what God wants. The alternative is a selfish existence. That may sound harsh but it is true. Either God exists and is your creator in which case you owe Him everything you are and will be, or there is no God.  I am telling you there is a God and to ignore His will for you makes you selfish.  You may be scared, and it will be difficult at times, but it is the right thing to do. I didn’t always want to accept it; in fact I can be a selfish brat at times. I still struggle with submitting to the will of God, but the effort is what matters and day by day it gets easier.

 Render unto God what is God’s! Your Creator is asking something of you, and to me it seems like a small thing to offer Him your service in thanksgiving for your life. I am not saying go out right now and buy an engagement ring or enter a convent; merely pose the question, “what does God want for me?” That, my friends, is what discernment is all about, that is your vocation. The rest comes later, priesthood or married life, sister or wife? These aren’t always easy choices, but why should that deter you.  

One more thing, don’t fear unhappiness. Listen, I know those are concerns you have, “will I be happy?” But how could your all loving creator ever lead you into unhappiness. You will struggle and suffer, but that is unavoidable. I guarantee you that what God wants of you is the best way for you to find happiness, fulfillment, and true joy. The difficulties will be worth it. God loves you, the question is… will you love Him?

God Love you,

AMDG
Peter James d`Aquino

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