Year IV, Number 10

"The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him" (Lk 4:20). What the evangelist Luke says about the people in the synagogue at Nazareth that Sabbath, listening to Jesus' commentary on the words of the prophet Isaiah which he had just read, can be applied to all Christians. They are always called to recognize in Jesus of Nazareth the definitive fulfillment of the message of the prophets: "And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"' (Lk 4:21). The "Scripture" he had read was this: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Lk 4:18-19; cf. Is 61:1-2). Jesus thus presents himself as filled with the Spirit, "consecrated with an anointing," "sent to preach good news to the poor." He is the Messiah, the Messiah who is priest, prophet and king.

These are the features of Christ upon which the eyes of faith and love of Christians should be fixed. Using this "contemplation" as a starting point and making continual reference to it, the synod fathers reflected on the problem of priestly formation in present-day circumstances. This problem cannot be solved without previous reflection upon the goal of formation, that is, the ministerial priesthood, or more precisely, the ministerial priesthood as a participation - in the Church - in the very priesthood of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of the nature and mission of the ministerial priesthood is an essential presupposition, and at the same time the surest guide and incentive toward the development of pastoral activities in the Church for fostering and discerning vocations to the priesthood and training those called to the ordained ministry.

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I have been considering a vocation to the priesthood. I attend a Catholic high school and have had many discussions with my chaplain, with whom I have worked on many projects. I attend Mass every morning before school. I have tried to talk to my parents about my feelings, but they don’t understand, and sometimes they get angry with my chaplain, with the youth group at my parish, and with me for doing the good things I do. They believe that my chaplain is pushing me into the priesthood, but that's not the case at all. I want to be a priest so much, but I don't know what God wants. And I don't know if I have heard him calling me to the priesthood. I read A Priest Forever and I so much wanted to know what my vocation is, like Father Hamilton. Please help if you can. God Bless.

- Larson

A. Dear Larson,

It certainly seems from the information you give here that there is good reason for you to think God may be calling you. It is good that you are in touch with your chaplain and talking to him about this. As he gets to know you better, has you work on projects, and sees how you do with the youth group at your parish, he will be able to give his advice regarding your vocation. God doesn’t usually give more signs as regards what he wants us to do than the “inner voice” (our thought that maybe...) and an “outside voice” (someone else, like your chaplain, who can tell that it is not our imagination).

Your big problem seems to be your parents’ reaction - and their suspicion that you are having the vocation pushed on you is frustrating. Of course it is. One good outcome of this is that you have really examined yourself and seen that it is not someone else forcing you, but you who want to do what God wants of you.

What you should do under the circumstances and how you should obey the fourth commandment (which tells us to “honor” our father and mother - when you are a minor, “honoring” usually means obeying; as you get older it means holding them in respect, but not shirking what your conscience shows you that you have to do) depends on your age and on the advice of your chaplain. If you are still a minor, you can insist with your parents, but if their answer is “no” for now, then you just have to stay put geographically. By that I mean you won’t be able to go away to a seminary. But you can still move spiritually: grow in prayer, in your work with the youth group, in your knowledge about the vocation; see if God might be calling you to diocesan priesthood (like your pastor) or to a religious congregation, visit seminaries, and prepare the way.

If you are old enough to make a step this summer, then get ready for it - unless your chaplain sees something you need to work on before joining the seminary.

God bless.

- Fr Anthony

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

Hello! I am a young adult female, and I have been wondering for some time what the good Lord wants of me. Approximately 5 years ago my mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she was going through several tests and x-rays to check if it had spread to other parts of her body. I remember being quite nerved up about the situation and wondering what the results were going to be. I sat and prayed that everything would be okay with her results, and made a promise to God that if this were the case, I would become a nun. Well, at that particular time, I was almost certain I was being called to that way of life. Now, some time later, I still haven't joined the convent and am even wondering if the Lord really wants me to be a nun or possibly get married some day. It seems like a seesaw situation for me. Some days I feel like joining the convent, other days I feel like being a wife. I don't want to break my promise to the Lord and sin against him. Please help me in my situation! Thanks.

- Anonymous

A. Dear Anonymous,

The greatest thing we can do for God is not going away to be a nun, but doing his will. I am sure that when you made your promise to God it pleased him, because at the time you were nearly certain that was his will. But if he, after you made the promise, shows you that he wants something else of you, then do what he says. Don’t worry - it is never a sin to do what God wants even if you promised him something else.

Now, there is something very important for you to work out. From what you say above, it is your feelings that are swinging back and forth. It would be unusual if this did not happen to you; feelings are like that, as fickle as the wind. So, if you base a decision or commitment on feelings, you are going to be very confused in the future, because no matter which you decide for (marriage or nun) it will only take a few days for your feelings to swing back again to the other side. You have to seek in your soul, in the way God has been leading you, in the principles of faith, in the things that matter most to you, in the advice of someone you trust, what God really wants of you, knowing that no matter what it is, your feelings are going to be sometimes for it and sometimes against. Then, knowing that, go ahead and opt for what he wants.

God bless.

- Fr Anthony

The deep meaning of Christ’s entire life, and particularly his passion, is that of service for the Father’s glory and man’s salvation. He, first-born of all creation, the head of all things that are in heaven and on earth, became the servant of all men, their slave, sold and delivered up to death as a ransom for their sins.

And what else is our religious life but a consecration to serve God, the Church and all mankind, our brothers and sisters? What a beautiful definition of a priest: servant of God and his brothers and sisters! What a fruitful description of his mission: to serve by renouncing himself and nailing himself on the cross with Christ!

To drink his cup means to follow him willingly on the path of humility and cross, convinced that you must pour out all your strength until your self-sacrifice is complete.

Gospel: Mk 9: 2-10

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Introductory Prayer: Dear Blessed Mother, help me to enter into the heart of your Son, Christ. Help me to see and listen to Him speaking to Moses and Elijah. Make my heart burn with zeal, enthusiasm, and love for the plan of salvation they are discussing. Obtain for me the grace to trust totally in Christ and his way of preparing me for my part in that plan. Dear Mother, the strength of your faith gave you the fortitude to accomplish your part in Christ’s plan of salvation. Take my weak faith up into yours and strengthen it. Take my mission into your care and protect it. Be my model to accept it, on Tabor and beneath the Cross.

Petition: Heavenly Father, together with Mary I ask you for the grace of a strong unwavering faith to accomplish the mission you have reserved for me in your Son’s work of redemption.

1. Strong, Constant Prayer = Strong, Constant Faith

It is in contemplative prayer that the faith needed for the mission is strengthened and nourished. As well, a soul’s mission cannot be understood or accomplished without a constant and deep prayer life. Christ teaches this lesson to Peter, James and John as well as to us. He “led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves.” The mountain is a symbol of contemplation, intimacy, and union with God - a place apart from the distractions and noise of temporal existence to be alone with him. It is a place of encounter with the saints and the whole Mystical Body of Christ. It is a time to see, understand, ponder, and experience the spiritual realities at the core or essence of life itself. Every soul needs this experience to give understanding and strength to his or her faith. Lord Jesus, I want to spend time with you on the mountain every day. Teach me how to climb and pick a path to the top. Help me to wind my way through the boulders and sharp stones of distraction. Give me strength of will to conquer the steep grades of laziness and aridity. Let my faith strengthen and grow in your radiant light.

2. Faith Must Be Simple to Survive and Endure

The disciples were overwhelmed by the unveiled presence and reality of the spiritual world. The powers, dominions, and principalities that St. Paul speaks of are too much for us unless our faith is simple. In Lk 2:9 the shepherds were “struck with great fear when the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” Moments later there suddenly appeared a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel. Even the creatures of God’s spiritual world are too much for man. Only special divine protection could sustain the disciples in face of the transfiguration. “No man can look at God and live.” But God gives us his protection in our smallness and weakness. He shows us the way to a simple faith. He comes to us and surrounds us with his saving presence if we heed his words: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” A faith only fixed on Christ. A simple faith. Fear passes and they are left alone with Christ. “Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.” Lord Jesus, grant me a strong and simple faith. Let my faith seek its wisdom and understanding in You alone.

3. Contemplative Faith is Needed to Walk in the Mystery of Daily Life

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. Coming down the mountain, back to the reality of daily life... God reveals little by little - when, where, and in the manner he chooses. He teaches his disciples to ponder everything that he tells and reveals to them. They have to build their understanding of the mystery in bits and pieces, turning everything over in their hearts... walking with a contemplative faith. They learn discretion because God is a personal God and treats each soul differently. He wants to work in souls through his disciples, therefore, they must be docile to His way and timing. The disciples must learn to be contemplative in their daily life, pondering with faith things of the past and things of the present. By contemplating in this way, they will be prepared for events in the future.

Dialogue: Lord Jesus, grant me a contemplative faith in my daily life. Help me to be a faithful instrument for the souls you put in my path. Help me to ponder with faith what you have told me in the past and what you tell me today so that I may be able to understand your way and attain true wisdom.

Questionnaire:

1. In my prayer life, how do I see the action of God’s grace in my soul? What is he asking of me? If I can’t see God’s grace, could it be a result of my lack of faith or inconsistent prayer?

2. In what ways am I striving to strengthen my faith? Do I pray for it often?

3. How can I sacrifice more in my life in order to ask God for graces to strengthen my faith and enlighten it?

An international conference, held in Rome, at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, in collaboration with the Diocesan Coordinators for the Padre Pio prayer groups, sought to penetrate the person and holiness of Padre Pio in a set of conferences entitled: "Padre Pio: the man, the Christian, the saint."

One of the features of Padre Pio that immediately calls attention is the stigmas that he carried. "[He] showed the stigmas to the entire world for more than half a century. He carried the visible signs of the Passion of the Redeemer in his own flesh, and suffered the excruciating pain with which we were redeemed." These were the words of Dr. Nicola Silvestri, vice-rector of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (the hospital founded by Padre Pio), who dealt with the topic of the stigmas on the scientific level, seeking to shed some light on the difficult topic.

"With regards to the other stigmatists," the doctor explained, "Padre Pio holds a singular place because of the completeness of the signs: on his hands, his feet, his side; for the long time and the permanent duration, for the fact that they disappeared with his death. From the medical point of view, the stigmas cannot be considered wounds, since they do not close, not even when treated."

The doctor underlined the fact that "the stigmas are an exact reproduction of the wounds of Jesus, according to the studies done on the Holy Shroud." "The Church is rightly cautious with regard to this issue, and only affirms them after rigorous medical and theological examination. It requires that the stigmas 'appear instantaneously, change the skin tissue substantially, remain unaltered even after different types of medical treatment, hemorrhage, and not become infected or scar instantaneously.'"

The doctor pointed out that there are many theories about the stigmas. "There are a variety of theories that try to deny the supernatural character of the stigmas. None of these hypotheses, however, can stand to objective and rigorous scientific studies.”

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

Houston, TX, March 14-16, 2003, Young Men's Spiritual Exercises. Ages 16-30. Contact Donna Rueby at dmrueby@hotmail.com or at (281) 361-3708.

Youth Pilgrimage to Rome - April 13-22, 2003. Ages 11-25. Price: $1,495 (includes airfare). Contact Ray Arsenault at arsenaultacres@pei.sympatico.ca or at (902) 854-2808.

Cornwall, ONT, April 16-20, 2003, Test Your Call Retreat, ages 16-30. Contact Fr William Slattery at wslattery@legionaries.org or at (613) 931-1920. Price: none.

Cheshire, CT, April 16-20, 2003, Test Your Call Retreat. Ages 16-30. Contact Br Branigan Sherman at vocation@legionaries.org or at (800) 420-5409. Price: none.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated women

Los Angeles, CA, March 16, 2003, Young Women's Spiritual Growth Retreat. Ages 16-30. Contact Magdalena Faine at mfaine@inteducators.org or at (562) 597-6352.

Lafayette, LA, March 28-30, 2003, Spiritual Exercises. Ages 16-24. Contact Kay Eads at lumenchristikay@juno or at (225) 344-0469.

St. Louis, MO, March 28-30, 2003, Spiritual Exercises. Ages 17-25. Contact Mary Smith at msmith@inteducators.org or at (636) 519-0488.

Washington, DC, April 1, 2003, Young Women's Lenten Retreat. Ages 17-30. Contact Lucy Honnor at lhonnor@inteducators.org or at (301) 536-6931.

North Shore, LA, April 4-6, 2003, Spiritual Exercises. Ages 16-24. Contact Kay Eads at lumenchristikay@juno or at (225) 344-0469.

Ottawa, April 6, 2003, Young Women's Spiritual Growth Retreat. Ages 17-30. Contact Lourdes Cano at lcano@inteducators.org or at (401) 225-2314.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated men

Call Tony McDonnell for more information, (301) 365-3205. amacdonnell@arcol.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.

To subscribe or send a gift subscription, send an email to subscribe@shorelines.org or visit www.vocation.com. To unsubscribe, send an email to unsubscribe@shorelines.org.

Copyright 2004, Legion of Christ.

www.vocation.com