‘COME FOLLOW ME’

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK: Why does it feel like I need to make up my mind right now?

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger lays his hands upon the candidates during their Ordination to the Priesthood on May 18 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) (Courtesy photo of CINDY SCHULTZ)

Throughout the month of September, each parishioner in the Diocese heard from the homilist what an initial call from God looks like from their own personal experience. In the series, we had the opportunity to listen to how Christ’s whisper to “come follow me” actually enters in and finds its way out. With little fanfare, Jesus spoke into the hearts of each one directly and through those around them. Affirming that in the end, He wanted them to become a servant with a particular mission that would require tremen­dous trust, courage and letting go of what they had planned for their life. Looking back, each one was able to reminisce of years ago, inviting the people to learn more not just about vocations, but what was it that set this priest or deacon on the journey to become what we know them as today.

With a cultural shift in mind, the focus was to help each of us recognize that vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life are the responsibility of every single one of us. Just as Christ charges us to partake in His mission of making disciples in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so He has charged us with helping to find and foster those that He may be calling to serve. The feedback was incredibly positive and in many ways opened doors between the people and the priest or deacon that are there to serve. Leading to the question: Who else amongst us, within our families and friends, do we know that may have a vocation to live this dedicated life? The response was tremen­dous with over 245 names collected for the three distinct paths of service. Showing within our Diocese, vocations are not a thing of the past, rather so many of you see it in others and want to do your part in helping them on their journey with the Lord.

Moving forward the question becomes … are all 245 signing up tomorrow? Oh, how glorious it would be if that were the case. Realistically, that number reduces significantly based on a litany of factors with where a person is in their: age, academic track, career, incomplete contact information and even non-interest at this time. The seeds have been planted, however, so now it is up to us to help nurture, pray for and encourage those that we have brought forward and continue to present more. In the meantime we should be aware of a vocations first big obstacle:

Do I need to make up my mind or decide right now?

The shortest answer to this question is, no you do not. Nor should you even try to. Following the Lord’s call is not a career decision made in response to a job posting seen online. It is not selecting the major you want to study in college because you have an interest in that particular line of work. It is not that you like the priest, deacon or religious you know and want to work with them in the future. The Lord’s call is answered in only one way, with no exceptions … it is answered through years of prayer, study and pastoral service. 

This time with Christ, called “discernment,” is growing closer and developing your relationship with Jesus which is very personal. As with any serious relationship, you wouldn’t try and make up your mind on spending the rest of your life together on day one. Real relationships grow over long periods of time: together you learn to listen, trust, confide in, lean upon, will the good of and most of all fall more in love with one another. As the years go by, with an openness of heart, you find yourself becoming closer than you ever thought possible. It no longer becomes a question of “do I need to make up my mind today?” to a response like St. Peter, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Discernment is allowing Christ to lead the way as you follow willingly, such that your personal relationship with Jesus is so fulfilling that you want nothing more for yourself. Something so fulfilling that you cannot help but want to live a life in service to Christ’s people so that they too can experience Christ that very same way. 

As this time passes, commitments are made and affirmed by the Church, as discerning God’s call is done together. Reminding us that in all vocations, this is a spiritual journey where each day as you pray, Christ will lead you to His desire for your life … it is up to you if you want to commit to where He’s headed and follow Him one day more. 

Bishop Scharfenberger has created a Vocations team centered around helping those figure out where God is calling them. With vast experience and backgrounds, each of us is here to help you on the journey of discerning the whisper Christ keeps placing in the heart of those He is calling to serve. Our role is simply to help guide … not to “sell a lifestyle or career.” We know from our own personal experience the uncertainty, the litany of questions that come to mind and even the hesitation that is felt. Wouldn’t it be helpful to you or someone you know, if the Church had someone to help them figure this out? That’s exactly what we’re all here for, so why not email us at [email protected], call or text at (518) 421-6870 or head to www.rcda.org/vocations to find out more! 

Father Brian Kelly is the Vicar for Vocations for the Diocese of Albany and pastor at St. Ambrose in Latham, and the Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Michael’s in Cohoes.