Listen to this reflection in English
Escuchar esta reflexión en español
One of the most exciting things in my adult life has been seeing family members give themselves to God and His Church. I have two nephews in seminary, a niece finishing up two years of ministering to the poor on the streets of Denver, a nephew who works at a church and other nieces who are active in youth ministry. My heart swells with joy and pride at seeing them know, love and serve our Lord.
Over the past two years, my son has been participating in youth group and service activities as well. We have been blessed to have a NET Discipleship Team with us during that time and it has made a tremendous impact on him. He has begun watching Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Barron videos and even binge watched all five seasons of The Chosen of his own accord. But even more surprisingly, he recently told us he had been feeling a call to the priesthood!
Up until now, when we asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up, he gave us a typical teenage answer. “I want to be a you-tuber, and if that falls through, a lawyer.” Then, since our family has had its fair share of medical issues, he began considering becoming a doctor. But one day, after he got grossed out by my husband and I smooching in the kitchen, I jokingly responded, “Well, you need to learn how to be affectionate somehow.” And he responded, “Not if I’m going to be a priest!”
God has His timing and His ways. His voice is like a gentle whisper that burns within our souls. Fittingly, today’s Psalm reminds us: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Oh, how easy it is to drown Him out! How much more comfortable it is to fill our days with endless activity and ceaseless noise instead of sitting still in the silence to hear Him speak to us. How I wish our hearts would long to hear His voice! For those who seek to hear it, will.
We may not all hear the call to priesthood or religious life or missionary work, but we will hear Him calling us to sainthood. We may not hear Him asking us to write or speak eloquent words, but we will hear Him calling us to love Him and our neighbor. We may not hear Him asking us to die for Him, but we will hear Him asking us to serve Him with our lives.
What do you hear our Lord asking of you?
Una de las cosas más emocionantes de mi vida adulta ha sido ver a miembros de mi familia entregarse a Dios y a Su Iglesia. Tengo dos sobrinos en el seminario, una sobrina que está terminando dos años de servicio a los pobres en las calles de Denver, un sobrino que trabaja en una iglesia y otras sobrinas que participan activamente en el ministerio juvenil. Mi corazón se desborda de alegría y orgullo al verlos conocer, amar y servir a nuestro Señor.
Durante los últimos dos años, mi hijo también ha estado participando en el grupo juvenil y en actividades de servicio. Hemos tenido la bendición de contar con un equipo de discipulado de NET durante ese tiempo, lo cual ha tenido un impacto tremendo en él. Ha comenzado a ver videos del Padre Mike Schmitz y del Obispo Barron, e incluso ha visto las cinco temporadas completas de The Chosen por iniciativa propia. Pero, lo que resulta aún más sorprendente, ¡hace poco nos confesó que sentía un llamado al sacerdocio!
Hasta ahora, cuando le preguntábamos qué quería hacer de mayor, nos daba la típica respuesta de un adolescente: “Quiero ser youtuber y, si eso no resulta, capaz un abogado”. Luego, dado que nuestra familia ha tenido una buena dosis de problemas de salud, comenzó a considerar la posibilidad de ser médico. Pero un día, después de que le diera un poco de asco vernos a mi esposo y yo besando en la cocina, le respondí en tono de broma: “Bueno, de alguna manera tienes que aprender a ser cariñoso”. Y él contestó: “¡No si voy a ser sacerdote!”
Dios tiene sus momentos y sus caminos. Su voz es como un suave susurro que arde en lo profundo de nuestras almas. Muy oportunamente, el Salmo de hoy nos recuerda que no seamos sordos a su voz. ¡Oh, qué fácil resulta acallar su voz! Cuán más cómodo es llenar nuestros días de actividades incesantes y del ruido constante, en lugar de sentarnos quietos en el silencio para escucharlo hablarnos. ¡Cuánto desearía que nuestros corazones anhelaran escuchar Su voz! Pues aquellos que busquen escucharla, la escucharán.
Tal vez no todos escuchemos el llamado al sacerdocio, a la vida religiosa o a la labor misionera; pero sí lo escucharemos llamándonos a la santidad. Tal vez no lo escuchemos pidiéndonos que escribamos o pronunciemos palabras elocuentes, pero sí lo escucharemos llamándonos a amarlo a Él y al prójimo. Tal vez no lo escuchemos pidiéndonos que muramos por Él, pero sí lo escucharemos pidiéndonos que lo sirvamos con nuestras vidas.
¿Qué te pide nuestro Señor a tí?
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
Feature Image Credit: Nick Fewings, unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-white-wooden-round-frame-mki48azlI2k
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
SIGN INTO YOUR ACCOUNT