Catholic Kermit

MASS – (Fr Alvarez) — Life is like a puzzle.  When we’re young, it has big pieces and the picture is easy to put together.  As we get older, however, the pieces get smaller, more numerous and the picture gets more complicated.  We can only get so far on our own.  We start struggling through confusing pieces, forcing pieces, missing pieces and trying to do too many puzzle at the same time.  Eventually [hopefully], we acknowledge our need for help to see the bigger picture of our individual lives that God has planned for us.

Discovering God’s Will for our lives is what each of us should strive for daily.  That’s better said than done however.  When we have an “extra challenging” calling to a possible vocation, therefore, the busyness of our lives demands a extra-ordinary move to “remove yourself” to more intense “discernment” process like the seminary here.  Am I called the the priesthood?  the religious life?  permanent diaconate?  married life?  single life?   Even in the seminary, however, there come distractions that keep you from exploring the question honestly with yourself.  I guess that’s why we have Spiritual Directors to help clarify your personal puzzle while the Seminary Formation Team help your puzzle grow into its fullest potential, assuming everyone involved is looking at the right picture.  Discernment and formation may sound simple and easy, but I don’t think either word should be used if the puzzle is truly taken seriously … serious enough to stop calling it a puzzle … and embrace it as “MY LIFE” that God drew just for me … with images I don’t want to see … that the Lord reveals as I become open to accept … and ultimately live for His glory … knowing it brings joy … while short-sightedly focusing on the fuzzy gaps that fear clouds in doubt.  [this last line took an hour to write]

Today’s feast day for “Guardian Angels” reminds me of yet another voice I have access to but don’t give an ear to often enough.  Here is the Guardian Angel Prayer:

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, Rule and guide.
Amen. 

“From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God.”  — from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.

DOTS — Rector’s Conference on “Obedience” — VP debate in HD