The "Call"

  • Thread starter Thread starter WanderAimlessly
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
W

WanderAimlessly

Guest
When doing my daily reflections on the reading, I not only do the regular readings, but also any alternate reading for the day. In the case of today’s readings, I found more in the alternate readings for St. Patrick. Here is my reflection on today’s readings.

In today’s alternate Gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11), Jesus calls Simon Peter along with James and John to become disciples. How often do we hear the “call” of the Lord and do not answer him. I often joked that, if God was calling me, he is getting a busy signal.

Why do we reject the “call” of the Lord? Are we afraid of the uncertainty? In the reading, Jesus says “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”.

Yes, for many years, I will admit I was afraid of the uncertainty and I am still afraid. But lately, I have become very disenchanted with the secular life. This has been coming on for quite awhile. I have not been happy with my life for a number of years. Finally, I realized it was because I have been resisting the “call” of God.

Where will this call lead me, I do not know. All I know is that I will not find peace of mind until I do.

PF
 
Wow! It sounds to me like you are receiving a calling!

I guess God got the busy signal, but kept trying. I think he finally got through! I hope you will be talking to a spritiual director for help as you discern exactly what your calling is.

I think it’s natural to resist a call. The secular world is so dominant, and religious life seems like such a huge step. But I think it sounds exciting to serve the Lord in such a dedicated way. I will be praying for you.
 
40.png
jpjd:
Wow! It sounds to me like you are receiving a calling!

I guess God got the busy signal, but kept trying. I think he finally got through! I hope you will be talking to a spritiual director for help as you discern exactly what your calling is.

I think it’s natural to resist a call. The secular world is so dominant, and religious life seems like such a huge step. But I think it sounds exciting to serve the Lord in such a dedicated way. I will be praying for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

I have the number of a spiritual director over at the monastary at the parish I belong to.

I just moved to where I am 2 months ago tomorrow and have been very busy at work. It seems when I have the time and when I remember, it is around lunch, dinner, or late in the evening. I have it on my schedule to call him after Holy Week.

PF
 
40.png
WanderAimlessly:
I have it on my schedule to call him after Holy Week.

PF
Click to expand...
That’s great! Keep us posted.

I think it’s telling that your “name” is WanderAimlessly. Maybe someday that won’t apply, maybe your name will be MarchingPurposefully, ha ha.
 
Like you, I’ve been resisting the call for years. But Jesus is patient. He keeps after you until you pay attention. :yup:

I also am beginning to become disenchanted with the world. I’m just starting the journey to find out what God wants me to do. Sure would’ve been easier about ten or fifteen years ago. But, I was having to much “fun” then. :nope: Now, I’d rather cry with the saints than laugh with the sinners. The saints are much more fun.

I’ve got a solid spiritual director and a great parish. And I’m ready to follow Jesus wherever he wants me to go. At least I think I am. I hope I am. I pray I am. :gopray:

God bless you on your journey and hope you can find your calling and stop “wandering aimlessly.” 🙂

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”–St. Augustine
 
WanderAimlessly–I can relate to you when you say you are having a hard time living in the secular world. I, too, am having a very difficult time “living” with all the cruelty and hurtfulness that seems to be the norm. However, I cannot leave this secular world for the religious life…although that has been my heart’s desire all my life and now I’m too old and “stuck” in a loveless marriage. When I was in my early 20’s, I believe I had the “call” but I didn’t know what it was or what I should do about it. I wasn’t raised Catholic so I had no idea what a spiritual director was. I had always been “drawn” to Catholicism (all my aunts, uncles, cousins were Catholic), but I didn’t dare go against my parents. I believe I was called to the Carmelites because that is my personality. I am very happy to be silent and take great joy in spending time on my knees before the Blessed Sacrament. So I turned a deaf ear and went about my merry way doing what I wanted. Well, I won’t bore you with the details, but I screwed up royaly and now I have regrets for not heeding the call. I guess this is something I will have to live with (or without) for the rest of my life.

Pray for guidance and above all…listen. God will make His will known to you and trust in Him. We are His children and He would never ask us to do anything that wasn’t for our own good.

God Bless. I will keep you in my prayers.

Colleen
I envy any girl (or women) that hears the “call” and obeys.
 
40.png
retiredtxn:
WanderAimlessly–I can relate to you when you say you are having a hard time living in the secular world. I, too, am having a very difficult time “living” with all the cruelty and hurtfulness that seems to be the norm. However, I cannot leave this secular world for the religious life…although that has been my heart’s desire all my life and now I’m too old and “stuck” in a loveless marriage. When I was in my early 20’s, I believe I had the “call” but I didn’t know what it was or what I should do about it. I wasn’t raised Catholic so I had no idea what a spiritual director was. I had always been “drawn” to Catholicism (all my aunts, uncles, cousins were Catholic), but I didn’t dare go against my parents. I believe I was called to the Carmelites because that is my personality. I am very happy to be silent and take great joy in spending time on my knees before the Blessed Sacrament. So I turned a deaf ear and went about my merry way doing what I wanted. Well, I won’t bore you with the details, but I screwed up royaly and now I have regrets for not heeding the call. I guess this is something I will have to live with (or without) for the rest of my life.

Pray for guidance and above all…listen. God will make His will known to you and trust in Him. We are His children and He would never ask us to do anything that wasn’t for our own good.

God Bless. I will keep you in my prayers.

Colleen
I envy any girl (or women) that hears the “call” and obeys.
Click to expand...
Colleen, I have a small book of saints. It has a paragraph or two on a different saint for every day of the year.

It’s amazing to me how many saints felt called to a religious life but they were prevented because their family wanted them to marry, pursue a different career, political obligations, health issues, they could never find an order to accept them, etc.

My point is, even if we can’t pursue what we know to be our vocation, we can still become saints! Keep spending time before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Then, when time gives way to eternity, you can say with St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2Timothy 4:7
:blessyou:God bless you.
 
I agree, it does sound like you have a call! God has kept calling back. :yup:

I too also believe I am being called, to the carmelites. There are days when I have fears and doubts. Mostly on leaving my family behind. The lord gives me comfort during these times. Pray to the lord, he will give clarity and comfort. Best of luck on your call! :blessyou:
 
Boy can I relate to what you say. I have felt the same way for some time now. I’ve been begging God for guidance to know what to do. I wish He’d enlighten me soon. I’m gettting discouraged.
 
40.png
jpjd:
That’s great! Keep us posted.

I think it’s telling that your “name” is WanderAimlessly. Maybe someday that won’t apply, maybe your name will be MarchingPurposefully, ha ha.
Click to expand...
Actually, the name is from the old Prodigy days when I would be in chat and wander off on the web while still in chat and everyone wondered where I was.:bounce: I just decided to keep it since too many people knew me by that name.

PF
 
Thanks for encouraging words…especially Dr. Bombay. I think it is truly more of a struggle to be a “religious” in the world than it would ever be in a convent.

Xav–don’t give up. He will make it known to you when the right time is. Listen and obey.

A friend told me once that Jesus keeps “knocking” on that door until we answer it and He will not take you to the next step until you have completed the last step.

I pray that all our hearts will be open to Jesus’ call…no matter what it is.

Colleen
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top