Priestly Vocation as Grace

Entering the seminary is a big step of man's life.  At first we try live what we are ought to lived in this world and sometimes we are unaware to the calling of God to the priesthood. Because we are accustomed of what the world is giving to us and what the world demands us. Indeed, it makes as blind to the call of God.Considering all the problems, trials, reactions (friends and family), poverty, and the deep attachment of one's family, we are hindered and confused of what we want to be in life. Most of us, we tend to follow what our parents wants us to be, and we give in to their request and what they wants us to be. And as a son we give our best to follow them, but, do we consider ourselves of what we want to be in the future?

Vocation to the priesthood is born out of the experience of personal encounter to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a personal and religious experience that we encounter by the help of the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Through our deep and sincere prayer, we find Christ in the very heart of  prayer in which we continually encountering him and having dialogue with him. Thus in our faith and deeds we bring about the true and authentic Christian faith. 

Religious and consecrated life are called to be the witness of Christ Glory. And we are called to be the medium of spreading the Gospel of God throughout the world. Hence, we must have the desire and ready to accept God's call. As young men of this generation, vocation is a grace to us, because it takes us to the divine favor, love, and considering one of the greatest gift of God to man.

Saying "YES" to the call of God is a way of giving yourself  totally to God and to His people. Following him means leaving our own will and following the will of Christ. But, how much are we willing to sacrifice for Christ? In this sense we must always remember what would be the scriptures always says,"Do not be Afraid for I am with you always". 

We must always hope and pray that our vocation may continue to grow in our daily Christian experience and encounter to God. We must be extremely happy on our chosen vocation, for this vocation is both rewarding, in the world and in the next life. Hence, we must continue to hope in our vocation, for we will find the very foundation our faith, in which God will never abandon us in every way. He is there and always everywhere, ready to help us and ready to forgive us.

Finally, we must discern more of what we want to become in the future. Let us not be afraid of following the Lord. As Saint John Paul II would said "we are the future of the church". Thus, we must continue to strive for holiness and to live the Gospel. We must continue to serve and be the instrument of spreading the love of God to his people. We must also continue to feel the joy of serving the with our life as the witness of his greatness and glory. Let us continue to contemplate and to have a deep and sincere prayers, that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit and may He continue to give us the grace of priestly vocation.

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