Year V, Number 5

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). Even today Christ makes these words which he proclaimed in the synagogue of Nazareth echo in our priestly hearts. Indeed, our faith reveals to us the presence of the spirit of Christ at work in our being, in our acting and in our living, just as the sacrament of orders has configured, equipped and molded it.

Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is the principal agent in our spiritual life. He creates our “new heart,” inspires it and guides it with the “new law” of love, of pastoral charity. For the development of the spiritual life it is essential to be aware that the priest will never lack the grace of the Holy Spirit as a totally gratuitous gift and as a task which he is called to undertake. Awareness of this gift is the foundation and support of the priest’s unflagging trust amid the difficulties, temptations and weaknesses which he will meet along his spiritual path.

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I am an international grad student, originally from Mexico but currently studying in California. I feel that I might have a religious vocation. However, if I follow the call, I know that I will feel that I betrayed my family because of all the support that they have given me towards achieving a professional educational. My family has low economic means and expects that after finishing my degree I will help them economically, especially my mother who works as a street vendor in my country. I would love to help my family but I would also like to join the priesthood, prepare myself as a person and spread the word of God. What should I do?

- Ismael

A. Dear Ismael,

I am just going to give you a few general ideas to go on, but you would need to speak very specifically to a priest about your situation.

Here are some things you will need to take into consideration: first, the real and objective needs of your family. If your parents are going to be totally dependent on you for their livelihood in the future, it would mean that God is not pointing you to the priesthood, at least not until you have adequately provided for their future. Most probably this is more of a “gray area”, where you are not sure they absolutely need you, but where their life is undoubtedly going to be difficult without you helping them, and this is where you will have to exercise your own judgment and also perhaps ask them what they think. I have been amazed more times than I can recall at the generosity of people who love God and know the value of the priesthood and the personal sacrifices they are capable of making joyfully so that young men, at times their own sons, can become priests. In this context you should also consider this: if you become a religious priest, most probably because of the vow of poverty you will not have any possibility at all of helping your parents materially at any time during their lives, no matter what position you occupy or what apostolate you do; religious often do not have personal accounts or savings. On the other hand, if your call is to the diocesan priesthood, there is often the possibility that you will be able to help them albeit modestly at some stage. (Another element to take into account is if you will have any debt to pay off when your studies are finished, or if you will be obliged to offset scholarships with work.)

These are practical questions, but you should not overlook the basic question of the vocation itself, which all of the above presupposes. Especially, Ismael, pray for light from the Holy Spirit as you try to get to know God’s will.

God bless.

- Fr Anthony

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

Father, in different times in my life I have felt a calling. I have gotten many “signs” and people claim to see it in me. I have tried to shrug this off, but lately the desire has returned, yet I am in love with this guy that I have had a “relationship” with for three years. We aren’t seeing each other anymore, but I still love him. It also seems that guys don’t stick around for long and that they leave me emptier than I was. Father, could the failure in my love life also be a “hint” from God that only he can give me what I seek? Thank you, Father, and you are also in my prayers.

- Jessica

A. Dear Jessica,

God is always speaking to us, hinting to us. Everything around us has a message, and the fundamental message is that he is God and we are his creatures – with all the smallness and insignificance this means on the one hand, and all the greatness it means on the other.

Experiences of rejection can help us to understand that only God matters, but that does not necessary mean a vocation. Only God can give you what you seek, but God is not to be found only in consecrated life; religious life is not the only path to give yourself to God, heart and soul.

At this stage I think you should concentrate on deepening your relationship with Christ. This deepened relationship may lead you to perceive that he wants you to be totally for him to the exclusion of any other human love – and that would mean a call to consecration. But it is also possible that this deepened relationship leads you by another path, toward marriage.

God bless.

- Fr Anthony

I would like to find stronger words in the dictionary the better to express the elements of strength that your life should radiate. Keep very much in mind the great Apostle to the Gentiles: he bore the weight of many miseries yet he worked unceasingly for Christ and loved him with a very deep, personal and manly love; he knew no obstacles and heeded no dangers as long as the nations came to know, love and adore Jesus Christ; he wanted to spend himself so that Christ would reign; and despite his misery and weakness he could say, “Bonum certamen certavi, cursum consumavi, fidem servavi” [“I have fought the good fight to the end, I have run the race to the finish, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)].

Keep his example before you, not for the enjoyment you get out of contemplating his virtues, holiness and drive, but in order to follow his example in all things. Like him cultivate in your heart a strong, manly, personal love for Christ; like him do not regard danger or difficulties as long as Christ's Kingdom is established in the world, and all earthly authority adore him; like him you should be able to say on the last day of your life: “Bonum certamen certavi, cursum consumavi, fidem servavi...”

Gospel: Lk 2: 22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, all hope is fulfilled in you. Let me respond to the promptings of your grace so that I may be saved and serve your Father’s plan of redemption.

Petition: Prompt my soul to obey your will.

1. “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”

The surest sign of adherence to God is the obedience of faith (See CCC, #143; Romans 1:5). No woman was more pure than the Virgin Mary, herself immaculately conceived, who had become the Mother of God. She was “full of grace,” neither subject to sin nor to judgment by the commandments (See John 3:18). She even carried the Son of God in her arms. Mary did not exempt herself, however, from observing God’s will as expressed through the law of Moses commanding her purification. In fact, her obedience was the proof of her purity of heart.

2. “[Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God.”

Every Christian joins in the profession of faith: “We believe in the Holy Spirit ... He has spoken through the prophets.” The Holy Spirit already prompted men and women like Simeon and Anna to hope in salvation from sin, whether for those who had already received revelation or for those who did not yet know God. This anticipation of the life of grace caused them to act with a righteousness that exceeded the strict letter of the law. Anna was not obliged to consecrate her life to prayer as a widow, nor was Simeon obliged to enter the temple that day, nor take the child Jesus into his arms and bless him. The Holy Spirit called them into communion with God’s very life.

By Baptism, I am regenerated in Christ, I receive the Holy Spirit, and I am called to share in his prophetic and priestly mission (See CCC, #1215; #1268). How can I hope in salvation if I do not respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit invites me to ask for Christ to come into my soul, to adore, bless and thank him, to lead others to discover his presence by my word and deed.

3. “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

Because Mary and Joseph were obedient, the Father entrusted his Son to their care. Through their own obedience to God, God dwelt with them, while their descendents in faith receive this grace and wisdom as their inheritance.

Christ promises every believer, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him ... The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you” (John 14:23,26).

Christ makes this promise as he is about to offer his life of love for “the rise and fall of many.” We will become members of his body; his sacrifice of obedience is the example that enables us to live in communion with one another, “because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Does my love promote the Church’s mission?

Conversation: Lord Jesus, I believe that you call me to enter into your presence, to adore and bless you, to thank you by bearing witness to your love to others. Strengthen the obedience of my faith. Teach me to trust those who care for the life of my soul. Lead me in wisdom and knowledge so that my whole life may give homage to your eternal love. Let me gain salvation by leading others to your mercy.

Questionnaire:

1. How do I fulfill my obligations that arise from my state of life? What do others see? Am I a responsible person?

2. What does it mean to me to be a faithful Christian? How is my knowledge of the commandments, the teachings of the Church, and my faith in general? What evidence do I leave others of my love for this very faith and the Church?

3. How much time of my day do I spend with God? What do I believe Christ calling me to do? Today – and with my whole life?

Several times you have mentioned Bishop Rafael Guízar Valencia, beatified by John Paul II in 1995. What do you remember about this holy bishop?

Rafael Guízar was my mother’s uncle. He too was born in Cotija. He was an exemplary priest and bishop. His life was pretty hectic, since he lived through the stormy years of the revolution and the religious persecution. When he was a priest his bishop once suspended him from the ministry (“a divinis”), an unjust punishment motivated by slander and envy, and he submitted in a spirit of heroic obedience.

He had to live amid the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, ministering spiritually to the troops of the various factions. Twice he was sentenced to be shot, but he escaped miraculously on both occasions – on one of them he was actually in front of the firing squad, their fingers on the trigger. He had to go into exile because of the anticlerical laws, and worked with admirable zeal as a missionary in Guatemala, Colombia, the United States and Cuba. While he was in Cuba he received word of his nomination as bishop of Veracruz in Mexico, which at that time covered a vast area. Though he was bishop of Veracruz for eighteen years he was only able to reside in the diocese for eight since the anticlerical laws were still in force in that state. He traveled the length of his enormous diocese several times, often by mule or on horseback. Each pastoral visit was a true mission that renewed the Christian life of the parishes.

What he liked most was to go on missions, to preach Christ. I remember him inviting me once to go to the Promenade in Mexico City with him. He brought an accordion with him – he played very well – but I had no idea what it was for. When we got to the place it was crowded; he pulled out the accordion and began to play popular tunes. The people gathered in a circle around him. When there were enough of them he put the accordion down and began to preach Christ. I don’t know if he did it to teach me. I think it just came straight from his soul, you could see that he really enjoyed when he had the chance to talk about Christ to others.

He was a man to whom God gave many supernatural gifts, a great fighter for the cause of religious freedom, he feared no-one, watched over his seminary like the apple of his eye, was obedient to a heroic degree during his early years as a priest, and lived the utmost spirit of poverty. When he felt very ill towards the end of his life I remember him asking to be laid on the ground because he wanted to die poor, without comforts. And that’s how he died. On the floor, in extreme poverty, in exile, away from his diocese, in a little house in Mexico City.

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

Rome, Italy. March 18, 2004 - March 25, 2004. Pilgrimage for college-aged men and high school seniors. Price: $399 + airfare. Chaplains are the Legionaries of Christ. Contact Karolee Stauduhar at kstauduhar@msn.com or (407) 869-8263.

"Spring break at the Seminary" Program Take a look at seminary life from the inside and "try it on." Participate in the session taking place during your spring break. The program includes vocation discernment Q&A with a vocation director, conferences on the priesthood, opportunities to meet seminarians already on the path toward the priesthood, a full day retreat and more. Contact Br Branigan Sherman at vocation@legionaries.org or at (800) 420-5409.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated women

Spiritual Exercises Rye, New York. February 13 - 15. For women ages 16 to 30. For more information contact Gloria Darbellay

Spiritual Exercises. Raleigh, NC. February 20 - 22. For women ages 16 to 30. For more information contact Sharon Hahn

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated men

Call Tony MacDonnell 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.

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Copyright 2004, Legion of Christ.

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