By Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Today, Good Shepherd Sunday, we mark the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the theme: Witness awakens vocations. As the Holy Father says in his message for today, it is a most fitting theme for this Year for Priests.
He says that, “in order to foster vocations to the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life, and to be more effective in promoting the discernment of vocations, we cannot do without the example of those who have already said ‘yes’ to God and to his plan for the life of each individual.”
We trust in God to give us priests and religious who recognise what an amazing gift their vocation is, who have a personal relationship with Christ, who are exemplars, and whose lives imitate Christ. We thank God for the many priests and religious who are faithful to the Gospel and who serve in the Lord’s vineyard selflessly.
Let us pray for them constantly that God will strengthen and sustain them in their work and that they will be faithful to their vocations. By God’s grace, many others will “hear” God’s call and respond generously and faithfully. We need dedicated priests, brothers, deacons, religious, and lay persons to further the mission of the Church.
Christian witness requires us to walk in faith, to respond to the call to live holy, virtuous lives, and to build the common good. To do so our youths and indeed, all of us, must be well grounded in our faith. Families, schools, catechists, and parishes must continue to develop a culture of spirituality in our land.
It is within a culture of spirituality that our people will be able to discern their calling/their path in life. We need more labourers for the Lord’s harvest. I remember when my great-niece, Cherisse, was about 4 years-old, I found her sitting in my sister’s garden in London. She was deep in thought. Not wishing to disturb her, I crept up and sat next to her. After a while, I broke the silence and asked her what she was thinking. She replied that she was listening and waiting because her mummy told her that if she listens carefully, Jesus would speak to her.
In our fast-paced lives, too often we don’t set aside quiet time for prayer and reflection; we fail to acknowledge our Lord in our daily lives. One of the most beautiful pieces of writings I have come across is A Letter from Jesus. Check it out on the Internet. The letter, addressed to Jesus’ “Precious Friend” (each of us), covers the period of a day during which He constantly waits for an acknowledgment, but to no avail. In spite of this He does not abandon us. The following is an extract:
“Each and every day, I have revealed Myself to you in many strange and wondrous ways hoping that you would accept Me as your Shepherd, for I am the One that can supply you with all your needs. My love for you is deeper than the deepest ocean and bigger than the blue sky. I have so much to give you and also share with you. Please let Me hear from you soon. Your loving Friend forever, Jesus.”
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). The question is how do we follow Him? Are we true witnesses to the risen Christ by the way we live our daily lives – in our families/homes, in our workplaces, in our communities? What do we do when we see/know of people in need? What action do we take to transform unjust structures? “There is the need for courageous heralds of the Gospel” (Pope John Paul II).
As we pray to the Holy Spirit for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated lives, let us pray for discernment so that God will guide each of us to fulfil our own vocations – whatever they may be – with commitment and dedication, and to play our part in bringing about His Kingdom here on Earth. God has a plan for each of us; let us open our hearts to hear His call.
Send feedback to: ccsjfeedback@gmail.com. To purchase: The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Take a Bite social justice programme on DVD, and the Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching, contact CCSJ at 622-2691 or 290-1635.
