To Be

"To be or not to be, that is the question" as Shakespeare wrote so long ago and is still relevant today. I say this because in recent days I have come across so many men and women who are asking themselves: "What is God calling me to be?". To be or not to be what???? This is the great question stirring in the hearts of many as they seek to find the path in life that will give significance to their call to live Gospel centered lives. Is it marriage, the single life, priesthood or being a consecrated religious sister or brother - that is the question. They are trying to discern where God is calling them and to be open to the movement of the Spirit within their hearts. I have spoken with men and women of varied ages, of various backgrounds and at different points in their spirituality but the common thread among them is their desire to serve God, their Church and their human family in a way that will make a difference. I am certain that God is calling them and many others at this time to the vocation of priesthood/religious life. It is a privilege for me to be in their presence as it strengthens and energizes my own vocation to listen to the fire in their own hearts as they seek to respond to the yearning that dwells within. Imagine the power of God's love that will emerge if they put their lives in God's hands and answer YES to the call. Let us hold them in our hearts and prayers. God needs them, the Church needs them, the world needs them, we all need them- TO BE so we can all BE for God and each other.