— by Lisa Greey
When was the last time you were anxious about something? Was it before a test or exam? Whether or not you got the job you applied for? Maybe it was something more serious … would your relative would beat cancer? In each of these situations, it is easy for us to fret and worry. We become anxious and fearful. We don’t like that we cannot control the outcomes. Today’s second reading and Gospel remind us that God is in control. Jesus casts a demon out of someone, and the people are amazed that even “unclean spirits … obey him.” God is in control – he can heal, cast out demons, calm storms, and comfort and guide us through disappointments and struggles. While it is not easy to trust and surrender to him, he really has the power and authority to bring good into our lives, even through difficult circumstances. Think of how awful it must have been for this man to live with a demon inside him! Then think of how beautiful and good his life must have been because Jesus had the power to cast out the demon!
Saint Paul gives us a good lesson about vocation today. A vocation is our call from God. The church has traditionally spoken of three vocations: marriage, religious life (priest, nun/sister, brother) and the single life. Paul points out that unmarried men and women, who could be religious or single people, are able to more fully devote their concerns around God. Those called to religious life spend much of their time in prayer, discerning God’s call and presence in their daily lives. A married man or woman must also devote time to prayer, but the bulk of their time and service is devoted to their spouse and family. Someone who is single must also pray, but will apply their time and energy to a certain career or mission. Each of these vocations is lived differently, and one is not better than the others. It might be easy to think that’s what Paul is saying, however, he is simply pointing out that these are different calls with emphasis in different places. The religious priest or sister, is oriented wholeheartedly to the Lord. For those married, their hearts “share” an orientation to both the Lord and their spouse. For the single person, his or her heart “shares” an orientation both to the Lord and their work. This difference is part of the beauty that makes up the many vocations in the Church.
Even though you are probably in high school, it is important to spend some time in the upcoming years of your life considering – where is God calling me? Is my heart most at peace when I am in prayer and service to others? Do I desire to spend my life with one person, raising a Catholic family with him or her? Do I desire to join a religious community and be in fellowship and solidarity through a particular mission? We can see how good each of these questions are, and what a contribution each makes to the Church! Each of us has a call from God. If we allow him to enter our hearts, and let go of our anxieties, he will reveal both the “vocation” call, and the many others calls he has for us!
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