October 1, 2005
We recently received a letter from a young man who is discerning his vocation and asks how he can know the best way to follow Jesus in his life. He asked if we had any advice for him. Well, I do.
When our community began in 1987, I was asked by the friars to be the contact person for vocations. All of us, including myself, were hoping that I would be busy. Thank God, Father Luke, our present vocation director, can barely keep up with all the calls! One of the biggest reasons for us beginning a new religious institute revolved around the so-called “vocations crisis”. I say “so-called” because we believe it’s not so much a crisis of a call, but rather, a crisis of faith. Faith is fundamental not only in discovering our path in life, but peacefully staying on it despite the storms.
In my mind, it matters little where you slice the pie. It is foolish to talk about problems in the ranks of the clergy as if there were no problems within the laity. When a headline reads “Scandal in the Church”, the layperson immediately thinks “clergy”, yet never thinks about themselves. Consider the past fifty years – the “free-to-be-me” generation – pre-marital, extra-marital, and recreational sex, artificial birth control. You tell me if there is far too much drinking, drugging, gambling, working, shopping, clubbing, computering, and gossiping within the ranks of even practicing Catholics.
In the Holy Gospel Our Lord tells a story about two men who built homes, one on sand and the other on stone; then the levy broke. Tell me, which one stood firm and which one floated down stream? The answer is obvious to both home builder and homemaker alike, but not so much the application. When a clergyman or lay person sets their future, that is, their vocational choice, in the shifting sands of this world, they’re sunk! However, set your footings deep in the Rock of Ages, and you’ll stay put – even in a storm!
The reason why so many marriages are failing, falling apart, and floating away is the same reason some clergy collapse – their foundation is flimsy. Blame it on the crazy catechesis of the sixties, the sexual revolution, the drug and leisure culture, the plethora of “Katholic” high schools, colleges and universities, the powerful and irreligious influence of the popular media, the materialism and consumerism. We can blame them all, but let’s not forget to also blame ourselves.
In order to make the right choice, you first have to see. Whether it’s in marriage, being single in the marketplace, or joining a monastery – you need to see. Finding your way is next to impossible if you’re only feeling your way through life. No wonder so many are lost. They feel like they’re going in the right direction; yet, without being interiorly illumined by the supernatural light of Jesus Christ, they are easily deceived and soon end up in a ditch. What feels good – sleek and smooth – may, in fact, be bad – like a poisonous snake. Very good people can make very bad choices because all their lights are out. Doesn’t Jesus tell us: “I am the Light of the World”?
So, my young friend, do you know how to make the right choice? Above all, stay in a state of grace. You do this by avoiding whatever is evil and embracing everything that is good. Make a good sacramental confession once a month, receive and adore the Body and Blood of Jesus as often as possible. In school or work, avoid bad company and foster good, solid, faith-filled friends. Spend more time reading books and less time staring at a screen. Enjoy the beauty, the silence, and splendor of nature which will help you pray. Yes, pray every day and in every way – speak, sing, and spend time with Jesus. Don’t forget Mary – she’s your mother too! Finally, befriend one devout priest, one fervent religious, one joyful single person, and one happily married couple. Slowly but surely, one of these will shine brighter than the rest – then, son, follow that star!
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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