by Father Gregory Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations
As we to prepare for Lent and Easter, it is very easy to forget who we truly are, and what we have committed ourselves to as followers of Christ. Are we ready to recommit ourselves to working more diligently to become who God has created us to be, and called us to become? Remember, He calls us to holiness and sainthood, He created us for greatness that we may share in the fullness of the gift of His Love, oneness with Him and His Son, resting in the fullness of their Spirit. He has called us to do so through a particular Vocation, either single life, married life, ordained priesthood and consecrated religious life for both men and women. In this world, in this age as in ages before, it is a constant battle to answer the Call of God. Are we left to battle in our daily life, in our particular vocation, all alone? Of course not.
What battles are we called to face and fight throughout our lives? It is ultimately a battle against sin which can separate us from God in this world; but even more importantly it can ultimately separate us from God for eternity if we do not work with His grace in our life here in our earthly journey.
We must not fight sin by ourselves. Our greatest opportunity to defeat sin consistently in our lives is to battle it with the assistance of God’s Grace. His life working in and through our Spiritual being. This means living and using the Sacraments of the Church. Most importantly by going to reconciliation/confession regularly and receiving Holy Communion every week. It is “our daily bread”, the food of the soul, given to us by Christ. His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Christ shows us the way to empty ourselves in battle. How hard must one person battle? Look at the example Christ Himself gave us as described by St. Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, 12: 1-4.
“And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us: Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God. For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds. For you have not yet resisted unto blood.”
As we enter into the holy season of Lent, may our efforts be doubled to focus on answering the call each of us has received. The best way of preparing to recommit ourselves to answering the call more consistently in our daily spiritual lives is to get back to going to confession, do your best to get to the Eucharist during Lent. You are in my prayers throughout this holy season, please keep me, all priests, consecrated religious and our seminarians in your prayers. Have a very Blessed Lent.
