Dear Friends in Christ,
In this Sunday ’s Gospel, when Jesus traveled around the land of Israel, he was “moved with pity” for the crowds who followed Him. He saw that they lacked guidance and care. In response, Jesus preached to them truths about the Kingdom of God and healed the sick. In this way, He showed the crowds what they most needed, namely that God loved them and that He answers the prayers of their hearts.
Jesus also told His disciples “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Ask the Master of The Harvest to send out laborers for His vineyard.” In her reflection upon this instruction, the Church has understood that this pertains to the need of God’s faithful to pray for vocations.
The Church understands that there are 3 principal vocations: marriage, priesthood and religious life (becoming a brother or sister). All 3 vocations are inspired and nurtured in families that practice the Faith, pray, engage in the life of the Church and live in a moral way. We believe that each of us, when created by God, is given a particular vocation, which is the purpose of our lives. In giving us our particular vocation, God determines that this is the best way to save us. Our daily, honest engagement with the responsibilities of our vocation prepares us for eternal life.
“Praying for vocations” in our contemporary world no longer should be understood as asking God to send the Church more priests or Religious. It also means praying that more young people seek the Sacrament of Marriage. As more and more choose to simply cohabit (live together),
less and less understand that only marriage fulfills God’s plan for families and society and meets the moral criteria of the Sixth Commandment.
It is up to all of us to encourage and pray for more vocations in the Church. Our example, prayer and understanding of the importance of vocation help others to think about what God wants for their lives. May God bless St. Peter’s Parish with priestly and religious vocations as well as rejoice in seeing many more marriages in our community.