A message for young people

(and the not-so-young)

contemplating their future.

Marriage…single life…priesthood…religious life… What does my future hold?

A lot of young people think that a vocation is something that will happen to them in the future. One day, at some point in time, a person decides to get married, stay single, become a priest or enter religious life.

But this is not an entirely accurate viewpoint, for although it is true that there will be a major decision along the way, this decision does not come out of the blue. It is the result of many smaller decisions and choices made throughout our lives. We grow into our vocation.

In fact, your choice of vocation is happening right now. The seeds of a healthy vocation are planted in your life today, each day. A scary thought? Also an exciting one if you are willing to take responsibility for the direction of your life!

What seeds are you planting now? – questions and choices critical to every vocation.

• How do you treat your family and friends? Are you willing to allow others into your life? Are your decisions “I” decisions or “we” decisions?

• How do you use your gifts, time, money, and talents? How are you of service to God and God’s people?

• Develop your prayer life. Give God plenty of time in your day. Learn from wise people of faith.

• Put care and effort into your friendships. Choose your company and your role models carefully.

• What is your dream for the future? Where do you want to be in five, ten years time? Set some goals.

• Pray for the grace of joy. Smile! Affirm people. Allow yourself to exude genuine warmth and enthusiasm for the goodness in the world around you.

• How well do you relate to the opposite sex? Learn to appreciate the masculinity/femininity within yourself and others.

• Be a man of your word. Keep your promises – even the small ones.

Courage and commitment.

‘Do they have some runs on the board?’ That’s one thing I look for in prospective candidates. I look for evidence that the person has gone after a goal and persevered with it. If a mature aged man comes to me never having had a job for more that a year, I am cautious about his capacity to commit himself to a life-long vocation to the religious life. It’s not just a question of whether or not he will be there at then of the innings; it’s a question of whether he will really put his heart and soul into his vocation – especially during the tough times. We can gauge that capacity in people now by looking at how they have handled their lives to date. Do they follow up their commitments? Do they persevere in their goals? Do they keep promises – even in little things?

A Final Thought.

Many if not all great undertakings begin in small and often hidden ways. Seeds need the darkness, isolation, and cover of the earth in order to germinate. Therefore, for something to begin small, hidden, anonymous is an advantage.

How did Christ begin his great work – the salvation of the world?

He began simply, quietly. No fanfare. No fireworks. No public launching. He began by calling a few ordinary people – two in fact.

He began with personal contact and that is how his work developed. It was passed on from person to person by word of mouth.

So if there is something that we want to do let us not hesitate and think too much. Let us take one step. Let us plant one seed. Let us trust that if our cause is good, God will support us, and it will grow and prosper.