Last week I brought to your attention the reality that every Christian has a calling or vocation. It’s a calling from the Lord that has the best path for your life and the most effective application of God’s will.
I have recently been reading about some historical observations of Church history. It seems that when things are at their worst, the Lord brings about something wonderful via the events. Right at the very beginning, 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus and the beginning of the Church, Jerusalem is sacked by the Romans. Christians, prompted by Jesus warning 30 years earlier, fled Jerusalem before the siege and consequently took the faith to the far reaches of the Roman empire.
In the last 60 years we have witnessed the disappearance of the religious and the decline in the priesthood, numerically and morally. What’s going to happen? It’s already happening. The laity are stepping up to their full callings and vocations. It’s happening all over the world. Almost every effective ministry right now is directed and operated by lay men and women.
Who is teaching our youth at St. Libory’s? Laity. You like Totus Tuus? Laity. You like Formed or Catholic radio? Laity. Knights of Columbus? Laity. The work of F.O.C.U.S. at our universities? Laity. You like the book you received at Christmas Mass? Laity. You like EWTN? Laity. I could keep going.
Yes, the Church (and particularly its hierarchy and priesthood), is in big, big trouble. Yes, people are leaving the Church in record numbers. But it’s not over! I ask you to prayerfully ask the Lord what you can do. Then keep an open mind and heart. The Lord doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. The Lord be with you. Fr. Sid