Souls. For the past couple
of days my thoughts and prayers have been consumed with souls. Not specific souls but more so how vocations
affect souls. I have felt a fervent
desire to encourage others to more seriously consider and prayerfully discern
their vocation in life.
Today’s society steeps us
in a mentality that whatever we choose to do in life is about “us” and what
“we” want. The Church teaches that we are made in the “image and likeness of
God” (Gen. 1:26). Jesus came to save souls; we too, must be concerned with helping to save souls.
I want to propose something different when it comes to discernment. I want to boldly challenge the mindset of the
world and say that your life, your vocation, has nothing to do with what you
want and will. Rather, it has to do with
God’s work through you to reach souls. It’s a union of wills for the glory of
God and building His Kingdom.
I really like quotes,
especially quotes from the saints.
Recently I came across one from St. Alphonsus Liguori,
“[Don’t be] like a pilot who pretends to want his vessel to move, but he does not truly want this, who casts anchor and then hoists the sails. The Lord does not enlighten or speak to such a person. But if you beg God with indifference and a willingness to fulfill His Will, He will let you know clearly the best state of life for you.”
This “indifference” is not
a lack of concern but rather an openness and receptivity to what God wants;
it’s not allowing our hearts to be pulled or biased in any way.
Our lives should be lived
as vessels of God’s love, constantly being poured out so that others may come
to know the same love and mercy we have come to know. Whether you are called to the priesthood,
religious life, married life or single life, there are souls depending on your
“yes”. They are depending on you living
out your vocation with unconditional love and fidelity. Let us pray this week
for those who are discerning God’s Will in their lives, that they may have the
courage and strength to answer “yes” to God’s will in their lives.
Prayer to St. Joseph to know One's Vocation
O Great St. Joseph, so docile to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, obtain for me the grace to know what state of life Divine Providence destines for me. Do not allow me to be deceived with regard to so important a choice, upon which depends my happiness in this world, and even my eternal salvation. Obtain for me that, being enlightened to know the Divine Will and being faithful in accomplishing it, I may embrace the state of life which God has destined for me and which will lead me to a happy eternity. Amen.
Written by Alycia
