I receive many emails from Catholics who think they may have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. While many desire a religious vocation, they worry that because of a sinful past or a presumed lack of "worthiness," they couldn't possibly have a vocation. My advice is always a phrase that I take directly from St. Josemaria Escriva: "Do not lack simplicity!" God can and does use our faults and weaknesses for good.
He wrote in The Way:
Look: the apostles, for all their evident and undeniable defects, were sincere, simple... transparent. You too have evident and undeniable defects. May you not lack simplicity (932).
In the 2nd chapter of Christ is Passing By, St. Josemaria highlights the weaknesses of the Apostles (our first bishops chosen by Christ Himself!). Can we not relate? He wrote:
The first Apostles, for whom I have great affection and devotion, were nothing to boast about, humanly speaking. With the exception of Matthew, who probably earned a comfortable living which he left behind at the behest of Jesus, the Apostles were mere fishermen. They lived a meager existence, fishing all night to keep food on the table.
But social status is unimportant. They weren’t educated; they weren’t even very bright, if we judge from their reaction to supernatural things. Finding even the most elementary examples and comparisons beyond their reach, they would turn to the Master and ask: “Explain the parable to us” (Matt 13:36). When Jesus uses the image of the “leaven” of the Pharisees, they think that he’s reproaching them for not having purchased bread (Matt 16:6‑7).
They were poor; they were ignorant. They weren’t very simple or open. But they were even ambitious. Frequently they argued over who would be the greatest when — according to their understanding — Christ would definitively restore the kingdom of Israel. Amid the intimacy of the last supper, during that sublime moment when Jesus is about to immolate himself for all of humanity, we find them arguing heatedly (Luke 22:24‑27).
Faith? They had little. Jesus Christ himself points this out (Matt 14:31; 16:8; 17:17; 21:21). They had seen the dead raised, all kinds of sicknesses cured, bread and fish multiplied, storms calmed, devils cast out...
And did these men of little faith at least stand out in their love for Christ? Undoubtedly they loved him, at least in word... They are ordinary men, complete with defects and shortcomings, more eager to say than to do. Nevertheless, Jesus calls them to be fishers of men (Matt 4:19), co‑redeemers, dispensers of the grace of God.
Could Jesus be calling you as well?
6 Pontifications:
I would have presented myself as a candidate for priesthood long ago if it weren't for my sins, my weaknesses, my failings, and my bad habits.
Totus: "They are ordinary men, complete with defects and shortcomings, more eager to say than to do. Nevertheless, Jesus calls them to be fishers of men, co‑redeemers, dispensers of the grace of God."
This discernment is exactly what our daughter is going through now. Please pray for C. God bless you, Philip!
Then there's the problem of debt. . .
This is beautiful! I've been meditating on/blogging about authenticity lately, which I am learning goes hand-in-hand with sainthood! The saints are so compelling precisely because they are so authentically HUMAN, so aware of their own frailty. I might have to borrow these quotes from St. Josemaria for a future post!
Keeping you in prayer, Philip!
Oops... Maybe my first comment didn't go through.
What a great post! I've been meditating on/blogging about authenticity lately, and learning that it goes hand-in-hand with the pursuit of sanctity. The saints are such compelling witnesses precisely because of their authenticity, their deep awareness of their human frailty and their dependence on the love and mercy of God. I might have to borrow these quotes by St. Josemaria for a future blog post!
Keeping you in prayer, Philip!
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