A few years ago I met a
priest who was director of priest vocations.
And he talked about the call
to the priesthood.
He said it was very important
for every parish to—frequently—
Include a prayer for vocations
in the prayer of the faithful.
That prayer right after the
homily.
He hoped they’d do it every
day.
Including it is powerful, of
course, just as a group prayer to God.
But at the same time, it’s a
reminder.
To the parents and the boys
and men who pray it.
Reminding them that we really
do need more priests.
He said it’s especially
important as a constant reminder
To those young men who are
“on the run”.
Many seminarians had confirmed
What he already knew from his
own personal experience.
They hear the call to a vocation, but they run from it.
The call doesn’t fit into the
plans they’d begun making for their lives.
Even if their plans were
still pretty vague,
They didn’t include the
priesthood.
But that constant reminder at
Church works away at them.
It reinforces the internal
call that they’re hearing.
And it stresses to them that
they truly are needed.
When we make that prayer,
We’re doing just as Jesus
directs us in today’s Gospel.
Asking the Master of the
harvest to send out laborers.
Of course, to bring all the
souls of the world to harvest,
The Master needs many kinds
of laborers—not just priests.
But we can all run from a
call just as hard as those young men.
So let’s be still.
Let’s deeply consider those
internal thoughts we’re hearing.
Let’s not dismiss them too
easily.
Maybe I really should get
involved in that volunteer work.
Maybe I really should spend
more time at my vocation to family.
Whatever I’m hearing—maybe it’s
not just a thought, but a message.
Let’s listen for the Harvest Master’s
call.
Tuesday, 14th Week of Ordinary Time
Mt 9:32-38 Read this Scripture @usccb.org
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