VOCATIONS & THE EUCHARIST. I hope you know by now that we are in the last part of the USA’s Bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival which reaches its climax at this summer’s 5-day Congress, July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana. While the main goal is to reawaken, reaffirm and renew our belief in our Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist and our celebration and reception of
this great Sacrament, it is also a call for more Priestly Vocations, without which we cannot have Eucharist! And since Priestly Vocations are fostered in good Catholic homes and schools, we must also pray for an increase in Vocations to the Sacrament of Matrimony and the Religious Life.
IS IT I, LORD? Perhaps it is Divine Providence that today’s Gospel is the call of the first four Apostles: Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John – and our First Reading is the inspiration behind a hymn ‘instrumental’ in my hearing and answering God’s call to Priesthood: “Here I Am, Lord.” The first time I heard Dan Schutte’s classic hymn, composed in 1981, was at a Day of Recollection for those who felt ‘called’ by God to a Church Ministry. The refrain’s haunting question “Is it I, Lord?” kept echoing in my mind and struck a ‘chord’ in my heart as I kept wondering: why would God want me, with all my quirks and weaknesses, sins and failings, to be a Priest? Could I fulfill the demands of Ordination and, some day, of a Pastor?
After years of discernment and prayer, numerous years in seminary formation, pastoral experiences in parishes and hospitals, I felt ready to accept the call to Priesthood, I have not regretted it even once after all these years. Now, with many years – even decades of priestly service under my belt, I am more convinced than ever that we need to trust that when we sense God’s call to offer ourselves for a ministry, we need to go for it! For the more we open ourselves up to the many ways God confirms that call, the easier it is to discern or prayerfully consider if God’s call is for real.
What I just wrote goes for every Vocation: to Holy Orders as a Diocesan Priest like me, who promises obedience to their Bishop and his successors and to remaining celibate or unmarried; Religious Life as an Order Priest, who makes vows of poverty, chastity and to living in community; a Brother or Sister; a Lay Minister; or to Holy Matrimony; a relationship or friendship; a career or occupation. And even if we discern that God is NOT calling us to a particular future, it is never a waste of time – for through our life experiences – the good and the not-so-good, God always teaches us something. Which brings me back to the initial title of this article: Vocations and the Eucharist.
By being faithful to the Sunday Mass obligation, we open ourselves to the treasure trove the Church offers us through The Liturgy of the Word. Week after week we hear story after story of men and women, young and old, greatly gifted and terribly sinful – who accepted God’s call to be a Prophet or Apostle, Minister or Leader, Preacher or Role Model. We hear of their difficult struggles to overcome their fears, as our Blessed Mother did, who asked the Angel: “How can this be?” [Luke 1:34a] when asked to be the Virgin Mother of God’s Son. We hear of Saint Joseph’s initial desire to call it quits when his betrothed was found with child. Today we heard of the future Prophet Samuel’s consternation as he heard God calling him in the night. Who has not, in response to God’s call to a ministry, echoed Saint Peter’s humble words, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” [Luke 5:8b] The list goes on and on …
However, the Bread of Life then comes so He can enter into us to affirm and assure us, to grace and gift us, to strengthen and support us. The hymns and canticles we sing unite us, not only in voice, but in purpose and intent. The array of various ministers at holy Mass, both Ordained and Lay, show the diversity of Christ’s Body, the Church. It also reminds us of all of the encouragement and assistance we can offer to each other as we strive to hear and answer God’s call. It was not, is not, nor ever will be God’s intention that we go it alone; we are called to be a Eucharistic Community, united in the Lord.
Are we brave enough to ask, “Is it I, Lord?” Are we willing to say, “I will go, Lord, if you lead me?” By receiving Jesus in Holy Communion more often and more worthily, we will be certain and properly fortified to answer … in the affirmative!C
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS