Pray for Vocations

The Church has designated this day as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We have been aware of the "vocation crisis" for a generation, and predictions of the number of priests retiring in the next five years, despite the request that they keep ministering until they are 80, are frightening. Yes, the number of seminarians is rising, but not to the point of being able to offset the number retiring. The Sisters and Brothers, particularly in this "First World" are taking a beating, as the average age reaches now to the mid to upper seventies and few are entering.
Imitating Jesus, following Jesus totally and for life is not an appealing option for most young people. Perhaps they don't know Jesus well enough; perhaps at home and at school, we are not teaching effectively about him, nor modeling his behavior, which drew crowds of followers. We all need to get humbly to our knees and ask that God call loudly and clearly to those of us who have an influence on young people to become better witnesses of the joy and fulfillment an ordained or consecrated life can bring. Let us pray that young and older adults come to realize that true happiness comes in giving of self, not in the acquiring of things. Generous hearts are out there, they just need a nudge, a word of invitation, a word of affirmation, a word of challenge.
Fr. John McLaughlin, former pastor of St. Monica's has recruited 50 men for the priesthood from the military in just three years by his frank, down-to-earth approach. May we follow his example, and believe that our prayers and our efforts are just what "people on the fence" need.
One of my favorite prayers is, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Worthwhile making it your own and teaching it to others.
Bro. Rene