Year III, Number 43

Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate,

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

To you all "beloved of God and saints by vocation, grace and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rm 1,7). These words of the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Rome introduce the theme of the next World Day of Prayer for Vocations: "The vocation to holiness". Holiness! This is the grace and aim of every believer, as the Book of Leviticus reminds us: "Be holy, because I, the Lord, your God, am Holy" (19,2).

In my Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" I invited all to place "pastoral planning under the heading of holiness", to express "the conviction that, since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity… The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction" (n. 31).

The main task of the Church is to lead Christians along the path of holiness, so that, illuminated by the intelligence of faith, they may learn to know and contemplate Christ's face and to rediscover in Him their own authentic identity and the mission that the Lord entrusts to each of them. In this way, they are “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2,20-21).

The Church gathers within herself all the vocations God raises up among his sons and daughters and is transformed into a radiant reflection of the mystery of the Holy Trinity. As a people gathered together by the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Church carries within herself the mystery of the Father who calls everyone to praise His name and to fulfill His will; she preserves the mystery of the Son who, sent by the Father to announce the Reign of God, invites everyone to follow Him; she is the repository of the mystery of the Holy Spirit who consecrates for the mission those whom the Father has chosen through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Since the Christian Community is the place where all the various vocations raised up by the Lord express themselves, in the context of the World Day of Prayer that will take place on 21 April 2002, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Third Continental Congress for vocations to ordained ministry and to consecrated life in North America will be held. I gladly send my best wishes to its promoters and to the participants and express my heart-felt congratulations for an initiative that deals with one of the pivotal problems of the Church in America and of the new evangelisation of the continent. I invite everyone to pray, so that this important gathering may produce a renewed commitment to the service of vocations and a more generous enthusiasm among the Christians of the “New World”.

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I have been seriously discerning a possible vocation for the past year. One issue just seems to keep giving uncomfortable vibes - lifetime celibacy. Until these little tugs started coming to seriously consider the priesthood, I had always seen myself as getting married and I have dated off and on with nothing leading in that direction. As a layman, celibacy seems easy. You don’t feel a sense of permanence to it. Of course, I will surely live it if the Lord wants me to be single. Even so, as a layman there is always the possibility that someday you may meet a nice Catholic girl and end up getting married. But as a priest, that’s it! I am living celibacy and chastity, but I do like girls. How do candidates for the priesthood turn off the God-given attraction of man to woman? If they can’t, am I safe to assume the discernment should end right there?

- Abel

A. Dear Abel,

It’s just as well you are feeling the way you do. It means first of all that you are normal; secondly, that you have up to now been living a good life in the Christian sense; and thirdly, that you have your eyes wide open and understand what is implied in God’s call.

If God calls you to be a priest, you don’t (can’t) turn off the God-given attraction of man to woman - we are celibate not because God in some way neuters us when he calls us. Celibacy is a gift you offer God each day. It is something you care for and take care of.

The premise for celibacy and chastity was given by Christ in the Gospel: "For man it is impossible, but for God everything is possible." What does a weak man do in order to be faithful to this call and gift?

First of all, he prays. This is where the change of heart takes place.

Then, he learns to appreciate the gift (by reading and reflecting on what the saints have written about their experience, for example).

He purifies himself by resisting temptation with God’s help.

He has a spiritual director and is open with him.

He gives marriage and God’s plan for man and woman its proper place - he is not showing his love for God by giving up something bad, but by giving up something good.

He avoids circumstances and situations that will play on his weakness (especially the media and a certain type of friendship).

He makes sure he stays healthy.

He looks for support from his peers.

He uses his time well.

So you see, celibacy is not something that we ‘endure’, but something we give. In its turn, it gives great joy and freedom, and is the source of God’s blessings on a priest’s work. And do you know what else? It shows people you are in the priesthood not for yourself but for them. God bless.

- Fr Anthony

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

How is one supposed to know if God is calling them to priesthood or not? This is probably one of those questions where they can’t be answered specifically, but with a roundabout answer, which is okay, but I need some kind of answer.

- Ryan

A. Dear Ryan,

One thing you have to keep in mind (and it’s amazing how often we forget it, but it certainly brings us a lot of peace) is that if God is calling us, he is definitely going to give us enough signs for us to recognize the fact - otherwise, he would be very impractical for someone as intelligent as he is!

But another truth is this: it’s a call, not a kidnapping. Since he is interested in our love, he is not going to force us. There you have the whole problem.

Now what types of signs does God usually send to the person he calls?

First, he gives them the natural qualities that are needed for the particular call he has in mind - of course, we have to do our part and develop them: health, intelligence, ability to relate to people, etc...

Then, he gives the supernatural qualities (faith, hope, love, etc...), which we also have to develop.

And finally, he supplies some trigger, something that makes us ask if we are called, something that will open our heart and mind to the vocation (it can be the example of a priest we know, the suggestion of a friend or teacher... any number of things, even the thought itself that one day pops into our mind and makes us ask the question).

From there on out, he expects and needs our cooperation. We have to put our energies into it. What I wrote to another inquirer might be of help to you if you want to move forward in this regard:

"What should you do now? Continue to develop your life of faith through prayer and the sacraments. Continue to learn more about your faith by reading books that will help you with this and help your faith mature from feelings to convictions, truths that you can live by and to which you can turn to find your way. Then do something new: take a step. Talk about your thoughts to a priest you trust - he will ask you about yourself, your health, your faith journey, your past, and your answers will help him to give you advice. He will be able to tell pretty soon if you should not pursue the priesthood. Then, visit a seminary or check out a religious order you might have heard about and are interested in."

Take care, and happy searching!

- Fr Anthony

What is, you might ask, the core of the message that Christ came to bring us? It is love. The word encompasses the fathomless mystery of a God who, by his Incarnation, enters into our history in order to become one like us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). A divine love that broke the boundaries of the imaginable at the time of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, to redeem us from our sins and enable us to possess him for all eternity: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). This is Christianity’s joyous revelation, Christ’s momentous novelty, which St. John the apostle understood and summed up well: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Not a love made of feelings or good intentions, but one that takes the initiative and gives itself entirely without waiting for us to ask for it or even deserve it - a love that continues to become a reality in our lives through specific words and actions.

So charity, love, is the essence of Christianity, the deepest explanation of the Incarnation and Christ’s work of redemption. That’s why I cannot picture a Christianity or understand a truly Christian life whose soul is not charity.

”See how they love one another!” exclaimed all who beheld the life-witness of the first Christians. We too strive to live this Gospel ideal and we thank God for granting us the marvelous treasure of charity.

Do you want to know, without risk of being subjective, how much you love Christ and how holy you are? Examine how you live the commandment of love that Christ gave us as his legacy on Holy Thursday night: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Prayer life and religious practice without charity is a distorted Christian living. A work of service or apostolate, no matter how great, is hollow and barren if it is not inspired in love for God and our neighbor. No charism in the Church makes sense outside the spirit of charity (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Love gives an eternal value to our words and deeds; it is the one thing we will take with us to the next life, and we will be examined on love at the end of our earthly existence (see Matthew 25:31-46 and Luke 10:29-37).

So ask yourselves sincerely before God if your charity is like Christ’s. St. John in this regard does not mince words: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). The sacred writer also gives concrete advice to help us avoid possible subjectivism or deformations in our love: “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him” (1 John 3:18-19). Do not be afraid to review this essential point daily, because it is the only way to walk in the truth of God.

Gospel Passage: Lk 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Preparatory Prayer: Lord, help me to understand the depth of the love you showed for me by being born a man. Open my heart to allow your love to come in and guide all the actions of my life. When you come, may you find me eagerly watching in joyful prayer.

Petition: Lord, you became man out of love for me. You have humbly made yourself like me in order to reach my cold heart. Help me to prepare for your arrival this Christmas. Help me to be ready and watchful.

1. Salvation is coming

This Gospel passage places us squarely in the middle of the crowd hearing John’s words. The Israel of New Testament times was hungering for a Messiah, chafing under the harsh peace imposed by the Roman Empire and unable to find real justification and forgiveness of sins in the Torah. We share this sense of expectation and preparation, waiting in these last days of Advent for the Savior promised by God.

We are waiting, watching, anxious for the Messiah. “Watch therefore for you know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man comes.”

The excitement and tension were overflowing at the banks of the Jordan as the Pharisees asked John if he was the one to come, or if they should look for another. “Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet? Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?”

It reinforces our sense of humility. We are waiting for God to act, and no mere human can give us what we are thirsting for from him. The millennia have passed, and many “messiahs” have come and gone with greater or lesser successes and greater or lesser fanfare, but only Christ satisfies the longing of our hearts.

We are longing for the prophecies of Isaiah to be fulfilled, longing like a drought-stricken field for rain, longing like a prisoner for freedom. We are longing to see God face to face, hoping to have the veil of the Old Testament tabernacle removed.

John speaks to our hearts and gives us new hope for the Messiah. The striking prophecies that every valley would be filled and that every mountain and hill would be made low ring in our ears. Did not the Psalmist write “Send forth your Spirit... and you will renew the face of the earth”? Just think how this long-awaited power of God can reshape our hearts, bring us peace and forgiveness, bring resolution to conflict and love to all people.

2. “Prepare the way of the Lord”

John fills this longing and answers our questions in an unexpected way. “His ways are not our ways”: God knew that we needed a preparation for Christ’s coming that would cleanse us from our false perceptions of him.

Some Jews were hoping for a brilliant political-military Messiah to bring freedom from Rome. Today, we more often hope for a cotton-candy Jesus who makes us feel good and doesn’t make any demands on us.

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!” If we continue reading John’s exhortation, he continues, “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance;... Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire... Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”

He doesn’t want a warm and misty Advent. “His ways are not our ways.” The surreal figure of this man clad in camel’s hair and leather belt preaching from his desert calls us to radical repentance. What is there in my life that he is speaking about? What are the obstacles that separate me from God? Advent offers us the time to turn over these questions slowly and deeply.

In a few weeks Mary and Joseph are going to be looking for a room in Bethlehem. Christ needs a place to stay in the inn. Will the door of my heart be open to him? Will he find my heart already warm with charity and spacious with generosity, or is it cold and sealed off?

It is a time of anticipation, and no one quite knows what to expect. Already our perceptions have been jarred by the ascetic prophet in the desert, and my life seems a little less comfortable and a little unsure now. What is there in my life that he wants to make smooth and straighten out?

Thanks to John the Baptist, we know a little bit more how to prepare. Christ, the “salvation of God,” is coming.

Will I be ready?

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

1. In what way do I reflect in my preparations for Christmas the excited Christian expectation for the coming of our Savior? In what do my preparations go beyond the externals, presents, parties of the feast?

2. Do I realize the size of the gift that God wants to give me: Christ who wants to come again as a child in my heart?

3. What light does Christ’s generosity shed on the direction I should give to my life?

“God has been preparing me for this vocation during all my life." The reality finally hit Edward Bentley halfway through the summer candidacy program. All of the tough decisions of the previous year suddenly made sense.

The idea of the priesthood crossed his mind in junior high, but it was always "something for later in life." When college time arrived, he picked something else and was accepted to West Point.

"I liked the challenge West Point posed, especially in my personal development." It was also a place where he began looking to grow more in his faith, and he took advantage of the programs that were offered. "Still, I was looking for more. I just didn't realize how much more."

He met a Legionary priest for the first time when his mother invited one to dinner during Christmas vacation of his sophomore year. "I remember my first impression very distinctly. 'If I were searching for a priestly vocation, that is the type of priest I want to be.' I didn't exactly know what it was about him that had struck me so profoundly. Later, I realized that it was his authenticity. There was no mistaking it - he was a priest!"

Then, Edward visited the Legionary seminary in Cheshire. "I was immediately won over by the atmosphere of charity and the sense of a great mission: to build Christ's Kingdom," he recalls.

At the retreat, Edward made the decision to attend the summer, which implied leaving West Point with no chance of being reaccepted. But as soon as he returned to West Point from the retreat, everything started pointing him in the opposite direction. He received a coveted summer assignment to go to Germany in June and Italy in July. His class ranking, posted for the first time, put him in the top 10% of his class and promised good leadership positions in his remaining years at West Point.

The decision was getting tougher, but Edward chose the narrow path. At the summer candidacy program, he met Fr Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, and that brought a new sense of security. "I will never forget what he said to me. He shook my hand and looked me in the eye and said, `You're God's army now.' For me, this really summed up the mission of the Legion. I began to realize the war between good and evil that was going on around me and that the Legion was on the frontline fighting for Christ."

Today, Br Edward Bentley is studying first-year philosophy in Thornwood, New York.

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

Cheshire, CT, December 26-30, Test Your Call! retreat. Contact Br Branigan Sherman, (800) 420-5409. vocation@legionaries.org.

Mega-Pilgrimage to Rome. Christmas break, December 27, 2002 - January 5, 2003. For college-aged men and high school seniors. Contact Karolee Stauduhar, (407) 869-8263. kstauduhar@msn.com.

Youth Pilgrimage to Rome. Ages 11-15. Price: $1,495 (includes airfare). Contact Ray Arsenault, (902) 854-2808. arsenaultacres@pei.sympatico.ca.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated women

Washington DC, December 3. Young Women's Advent Retreat. Ages 17-30. Contact Lucy Honnor, (301) 536-6913. lhonnor@inteducators.org.

Rome, Italy, December 26, 2002 - January 4, 2003. Rome Pilgrimage. Ages 17-30. Contact Fernanda Paez, (877) 866-7738. matere@ids.net.

Rome, Italy, December 26, 2002 - January 4, 2003. Rome Pilgrimage. High school girls. Contact Fernanda Paez, (877) 866-7738. matere@ids.net.

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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