Year III, Number 19

Thanks to the Council we have realized with renewed force the following truth: Just as the Church "makes the Eucharist" so "the Eucharist builds up" the Church; and this truth is closely bound up with the mystery of Holy Thursday. The Church was founded, as the new community of the People of God, in the apostolic community of those Twelve who, at the Last Supper, became partakers of the body and blood of the Lord under the species of bread and wine. Christ had said to them: "Take and eat.... Take and drink." And carrying out this command of His, they entered for the first time into sacramental communion with the Son of God, a communion that is a pledge of eternal life. From that moment until the end of time, the Church is being built up through that same communion with the Son of God, a communion which is a pledge of the eternal Passover.

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But the Church is not through into being only through the union of people, through the experience of brotherhood to which the Eucharistic Banquet gives rise. The Church is brought into being when, in that fraternal union and communion, we celebrate the sacrifice of the cross of Christ, when we proclaim "the Lord's death until he comes," and later, when, being deeply compenetrated with the mystery of our salvation, we approach as a community the table of the Lord, in order to be nourished there, in a sacramental manner, by the fruits oœ the holy Sacrifice of propitiation. Therefore in eucharistic Communion we receive Christ, Christ Himself; and our union with Him, which is a gift and grace for each individual, brings it about that in Him we are also associated in the unity of His body which is the Church.

Only in this way, through that faith and that disposition of mind, is there brought about that building up of the Church, which in the Eucharist truly finds its "source and summit," according to the well known expression of the Second Vatican Council. This truth, which as a result of the same Council has received a new and vigorous emphasis, must be a frequent theme of our reflection and teaching. Let all pastoral activity be nourished by it, and may it also be food for ourselves and for all the priests who collaborate with us, and likewise for the whole of the communities entrusted to us. In this practice there should thus be revealed, almost at every step, that close relationship between the Church's spiritual and apostolic vitality and the Eucharist, understood in its profound significance and from all points of view.

Q. I am wondering if I've missed my vocation and what to do about it. A little history: I married at 18 without giving full consideration to what I was doing. Twenty-two months, and one child, later we were divorced and annulled and he left the country permanently. Over the last 11 years, I have been journeying deeper and deeper into the spiritual life and feel that I should have entered the convent when I was so confused instead of making the rash decision to get married. My son is now twelve and I desire so intensely to give my whole life to Christ, but I could never abandon my son, who is the closest relative I have on earth. I feel very much like St. Elizabeth Seton at times. I teach school, I teach Catechism classes, I lector, I have a regular Hour of Adoration each Saturday (which passes too quickly and occurs too infrequently.)I'd like to rearrange my life in order to go to daily Mass, which means I'd have to quit my present teaching job and seek one elsewhere. I do go when we have days off from school. I don't date. I am thinking about when my son turns 18 and leaves for college. I will be 38. Is that too old to start a vocation? I don't feel like I'm doing my best for God as I am right now. Perhaps I should also be open to another marriage - a sacramental marriage - while I'm still young enough to bear children. I'm so confused and therefore I pray. But I don't feel like I'm actively seeking a vocation. Any advice? Bless you, Father, and thank you for reading this rather lengthy letter.

A. Dear Josie,

There is one thing clear, that you are doing right before God in the type of life you are trying to lead, bringing up your son and living your faith. Of course things could have been different, but there is no point in wondering if you have "missed your vocation", since it is clear what God wants you to do now, and I am sure you are doing all you can to bring your son up well in the faith and in all other respects in his life.

Your real dilemma seems to be what course to set your life towards now that you are 31, looking towards when your son will be 18 and off to college. A practical consideration: ask yourself truthfully if you really think you would be able to leave everything at that stage and go into a convent. I think both you and the nuns might think it better for you be around for his college years, just in case, and also as some sort of an anchor still for your son which we will most probably appreciate. I don't think it is realistic to plan on being able to make a major change until he is 22 at least. So that is probably the timetable you are looking at.

Do convents accept older vocations? Yes, a number do, and if you are accepted it would be a good thing to do.

Is it possible for you to marry in the Church, and have more children? Yes, most certainly, and that also would be a good thing to do.

How do you decide? You are going to need the advice of someone who knows you better than I. Someone who knows more in detail your circumstances, personality, spiritual, qualities, etc... So the only concrete piece of advice I can give you is to seek out someone to be your spiritual director: it could be your pastor, or a nun you know and trust.

God bless. - Fr Anthony

Q. What are the advantages of celibacy in the priesthood of a catholic priest?

A. Dear Jim: What makes celibacy special is that it is the way of life that Christ chose for himself and his Mother. It makes us more like him. So by celibacy we dedicate ourselves totally and exclusively to loving Christ and his Church, we dedicate ourselves exclusively and totally to serving souls, without any hindrance or encumbrance. Celibacy makes us ‘put our money where our mouth is’, as the saying goes. We spend all our time preaching the Kingdom, that heaven is greater than all the earth can offer, that Christ deserves everything, that he means more than anything else, etc… Our celibacy means and shows that we really believe that.

Another fruit of our vow of celibacy is the help and inspiration it can give to Catholic parents who are doing their best to be faithful to what Christ asks of them, to be open to life, to be selfless in the way they give themselves to each other.

God bless. – Fr Anthony

Introduction: The gospel account of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector demonstrates that the gradual and sometimes painful process of personal conversion is a fruit both of God's grace as well as the free and generous cooperation of man. This dynamic process culminates in the profound experience of the Savior's mercy, who was sent by the Father not to call the self- righteous but rather "to seek out and to save the lost."

Preparatory Prayer: Grant me the faith and courage, Lord, to face my need for personal conversion. Help me to follow the example of Zacchaeus, who used every means at his disposal in order to come into contact with you, and who overcame the temptation to excuse "himself in his own limitations."

Petition: In this meditation we ask the Holy Spirit for the gifts of light and fortitude: light to see our sinfulness in whatever form it appears in our lives, and fortitude to search out the Savior who has the power to forgive and to heal us.

Gospel Passage: Lk 19:1-4

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.

1. Who was Zacchaeus?

The Gospel mentions tax collectors on several occasions and almost always presents them in a negative light. They were some of the most hated folks around, because they had lowered themselves to cooperate actively with the occupying political power - the Romans - in the collection of taxes. Contact with the "gentile" Romans rendered tax collector ritually unclean and therefore incapable of observing the religious laws that were so important for the Jews, especially members of the Pharisee party. And many tax collectors skimmed funds for themselves from what they collected, thus becoming wealthy men. Zacchaeus was "a chief tax collector" and therefore "rich."

Imagine how the inhabitants of Jericho must have viewed Zacchaeus. Even more, imagine how he must have seen himself. Deep down he knew that he was not only a traitor to his people, but also a thief. Surely the only ones he could call his friends were those who were as morally lost as he was himself.

At times the sinful lifestyle in its myriad of forms appears glamorous. And often it seems, as the Psalmist points out, that the enemies of God prosper easily in this world. But the ease and pleasure of sin gloss over a deeper, more tragic reality: the drama of a soul enslaved to evil. For all his wealth Zacchaeus lacked one thing that money can't buy: the peace of heart that comes from a clear conscience. God - the only one capable of turning an apparent evil into a moment of grace and blessing - uses this man's inner restlessness to propel him toward Jesus as he passes through Jericho. God providentially weaves together Zacchaeus' inner situation with a chance event in order to bring about an encounter that would change him forever.

2. Anything to see Jesus

Luke's gospel goes on to tell us that Zacchaeus was a short man, so short that his chances of seeing Jesus as he passed by were nil. Zacchaeus quickly thinks of a way to overcome his physical limitations. First, he identifies the route Jesus will probably take, and finds the perfect spot, a sycamore tree in which to perch as the Lord passes beneath.

Zacchaeus does not excuse himself behind his physical limitations; on the contrary, he goes the extra mile, so to speak, to have a momentary glance at this Jesus of Nazareth who goes about preaching repentance and promising God's forgiveness, even toward the most hardened of sinners. He doesn't care what others will think of him, a wealthy public figure, climbing a tree in broad daylight. He doesn't stop at the very likely possibility that Jesus could call him to task for his wayward lifestyle. His interest in Jesus overpowers all other concerns. He has set out in search of the Savior.

3. Personal Conversion

Zacchaeus shows us what it takes to begin the work of personal conversion. It is not enough to recognize our failures and sinfulness. It is not enough to have the good intention of making a change. True change begins when we break with our limitations both real and self-imposed and do something tangible to draw close to Christ, the true source of all conversion and inner transformation. This is what Zacchaeus did, and the Lord blesses him abundantly for it.

Moreover, we can be absolutely confident that the Holy Spirit will accompany us along the way of our conversion. He is the one who places the desire for conversion in our heart. He is the one who provides strength to break with old habits. He is the one who forgives sin and provides inner healing through the worthy reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist.

QUESTIONNAIRE

To help you to examine your life, in the light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you shared with him.

1. What one aspect of my life do I need to change?

2. Have I done anything concrete towards changing it? Do I excuse myself in any real or imaginary limitation I have?

3. Am I afraid of what others think of me if I start to behave differently or be more in line with the demands of my Catholic faith?

Sin is not merely breaking a divine precept or ignoring the protests of our conscience. To sin is to let God’s love down. To sin is to reject God’s love, to offend a person who loves us. “Against you alone have I sinned; I have done such evil in your sight” (Ps 51:6).

The sin of disobedience that the angels and our first parents committed, stems from the moment they began to doubt God’s love. At that moment their original, innocent nakedness became shame and fear that God might discover them as they really were; and from then on their Creator, the guarantor of their happiness, became their main threat (see Gen 3:1-10). Every sin, regardless of its type or moral category, is in essence an act of disobedience and distrust of God’s goodness (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 397).

There is a constant that surfaces in the various sins we find in our past. It is our inclination to prefer ourselves to God, to build our lives without God or independently of him, to favor our personal affairs and interests over his will, and to assess and judge everything following our own selfish standards rather than God (see catechism, 398; postsynodal apostolic exhortation Reconciliation and Penance, 18). Only when we understand the true meaning of sin can we better value and grasp the meaning and importance that norms and precepts have in our lives.

God’s law is not a restriction placed on human freedom but rather an aid that protects it and makes it possible. Only the person who walks in the truth is completely free (see Jn 8:32). Reason enlightened by in its own turn by faith, leads a Christian to discover in a particular ruling of God’s commandments, or a Church decree, the concrete expression of God 's will who, as a good father, seeks the best for his children, even though it cost many a tear (see Heb 12:5-13). Every one of these rules safeguards any number of deeply human values and benefits; in each one we can hear the echo of God’s voice calling us to follow him; each one marks the path to happiness and the fulfillment of our eternal destiny. Hence morality for a Christian is not a blind submission to a set of laws, but our will’s adherence to God’s, in personal and loving response to him. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15).

A group of cloistered sisters in France tells this story. They had been years without vocations. The community was made up mostly of old religious and they were seriously concerned for the future of their convent. One day a family came to the visiting room — the parents and their three children, two girls and a boy. They had come to ask prayers for the health of one of the daughters, who was ill with leukemia. The little girl heard them mention the lack of vocations in the convent and decided to offer the sacrifices and pain her disease caused, for this intention.

The following morning, for the first time in years, a young woman knocked on the door asking to be admitted. Others followed, giving new life to the community which is now thriving. We might be tempted to call it a mere coincidence, but if we believe in the words of Christ, ask and it shall be given to you, this and other similar cases show us the kindly hand of the Father who always listens to the humble, persistent and confident prayers of his children. Might not the lack of laborers in the Church be due to the fact that we pray little to the Lord of the harvest for them?

No doubt the Holy Spirit in the presence of the Eucharist will help each one of us to find the best way to pray and converse with Christ our Friend and Master truly present in the Eucharistic species. Adoration is best done in the company of Mary, who with her gentle hint in Cana — ”They have no wine” — caused Jesus to work his first miracle. Through the power of her intercession she can convert the water of our cold hearts into the exquisite and delicate wine of love for God.

Upcoming Events & Retreats

(( Listed here are retreats directed by the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi members. For a listing of diocesan activities and other events, click here to go to the vocation.com website ))

LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST

CANDIDACY. June 6 - August 26 in Cheshire, CT. Visit any time! No cost. For more details visit www.legionofchrist.org or call (800) 420-5409.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated women

CANDIDACY. June 28 - August 10 in Greenville, RI. Visit any time! For more information, visit www.regnumchristi.org or call (401) 378-3201.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated men

Call Tony McDonnell for more information, (301) 365-3205. info@ytm.org

ShoreLines welcomes your questions and comments at questions@shorelines.org. If you do not specify otherwise, your question may be posted in the Vocations Q&A section.

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