The Bishop Writes

(From the Oct. 22, 1998 edition of the Inland Register)

The Scriptures contain story after story of specific moments of great change in people’s lives. Abraham was called to leave his homeland. Moses encountered the burning bush. Nathan the prophet challenged David in his sinfulness: "You are that man." The Apostles left their nets to follow Jesus. The Samaritan woman encountered Jesus at the well. Mary Magdalene met Jesus after his resurrection. Mary, the mother of Jesus, listened to terrifying news from the angel.

Those moments happen in our own lives as well. They can be terrifying, confusing, joyful, and sometimes very clear. One of those events occurred in my own life when in the seventh grade I heard the call to become a priest. I can’t relate the urging in my heart to a single moment (at least I don’t remember it), but it clearly came nonetheless over the months.

Every one of us is called by God. We continue to live with the presence of the Holy Spirit, sealed with that gift by Confirmation. An important responsibility for all of us in the Church is to support one another in the mutual calls we receive from God. We help encourage, discern, affirm our mutual vocations. Some vocations in life can be a little scary when we receive the call: Sisterhood, Brotherhood, priesthood, marriage, single life.

May we all in our faith community grow in the skill and sensitivity of being God’s instruments of praying for and supporting vocations in life for one another. Our fidelity to this mission can be a powerful gift and witness.

"Lord, send your Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth." Most of all, may this happen in our hearts, in our lives.

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