I think all of us at one time or another have considered the idea of becoming a minister, priest, nun, or lay minister in our church. I know that I considered it as did many of my family members and friends. We held all people in great esteem who had a religious vocation. Two things come to mind when I think of religious vocations. The first issue is that of being called by God and the second is that of the process of education, better known as formation. Which comes first?
I had a brother, now deceased, who went to the seminary right out of the eighth grade. He truly had the desire to be a priest, studied for it, discovered he did not have a vocation and returned home. He later married, had a wonderful family and was a great father and husband. Also, a brother-in-law, attended seminary, only to return home and raise a large family with my sister. I had cousins who wanted to be nuns, began the process and then returned home. Were they failures? Absolutely not. As a young man, I also wanted to be a priest. I didn’t.
I have come to understand that it is not enough to desire to have a religious vocation. What is most important is that one be called by God. I believe that everyone is called to a vocation, not necessarily a religious vocation. God calls some to the vocation of being a parent and spouse. Some are called to live the single life. No vocation is better than any other because it is God who calls. Don’t we desire to be what God has called us to? Perhaps we all have the vocation of pleasing God.
I believe that most often, God calls people to religious vocation who think that they could never have one. Many people, when they consider they might have a religious vocation, shrug it off. “I am not priest material.” “I’m not cut out to be a minister.” “I could never be a nun.” They think that because they are not popular, social, leaders, educated, that they just don’t have the qualities. Some people think that they are just too plain, ignorant, and not good enough.
God called Moses who some think had a speech impediment. He called the Apostles, some of whom were fisher men and a tax collector. David was a sheep herder. Paul was a persecutor of Christians. God calls ordinary people like you and me and then forms them into the people he desires. He doesn’t always call the learned, the rich, and those with charisma and give them vocations. He calls some to religious life first and then forms and shapes them.
Could God be calling you? He is calling you to a vocation. Could it be to minister to his people as in a religious vocation?
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”