How to Respond to God's Call

Like many educated people, Priests talk to themselves. Maybe it occurs because of Aristotle or Saint Augustine or Saint Benedict or Pope Pius. Priests are human beings, who like to learn, who like to teach, who live to serve, who live to love.

I sometimes wonder about all the lessons from the Gospels, all the teachings of social justice and fairness, if this crazy noisy world is able and ready to understand the responsibility that all human beings possess to live just lives of peace.

But whether we learn to love our neighbors as we love ourselves from listening to the Gospels and homilies, or from fresh devotion of Him Whom we have arrogantly abandoned, or from careful observation and careful imitation of His faithful followers, it properly presents a definite relationship with God. For it is Jesus Christ by his Passion who does provide both an example and definition of love to Whom we ought to be especially grateful and humble before as our undeniable exemplar; to Him we diligently, patiently direct our free will as our way to follow him. As Christians we must accept that throughout our lives that different types of temptation and sin will cause us to abandon God; our lives will filled with prayers of hope, prayers of forgiveness, prayers praising him, prayers professing our love in him. Blessed is the Christian whose life and actions reflect a natural, loving belief and faith in God.

Observing the simplicity of the Liturgy of the Eucharist—and that not only the spoken prayers, but even the unspoken prayers—implies that some type of basic compassion or love be shown towards all human beings, this word 'love' might attract some secular cynical ambiguity when defined by others who might not believe in God like we do; however we can assert with absolute confidence that love is necessary when we worship God. Love, then, will not limit our relationship to God; but encourage and inspire each of us to embrace our neighbors also.

But it is only by learning to freely share our "love" without desiring any reciprocal action that we will discover and/or recover our personal humanity; it is a lesson of sacrifice and suffering and forgiveness. There is a moment when we publicly accept our unworthiness and request forgiveness. A Christian life requires reconciliation.

Love, in Ecclesiastical terms, seems to direct each Christian, away from the individual, physical, and earthly self, toward goodness and God. This love does not seek to possess; it only seeks to serve.

Further, humility accompanies this love. Humility directs our actions toward service. Our lives must contain service for God and for our neighbors. As Christians we have a natural relationship and concern for social justice and fairness for all our neighbors. Humility with our neighbors can lead us to beautiful spiritual awakenings.

Lastly, faith in God and love of God and neighbor can lead us to salvation. Allow yourself a moment to relax and to pray in your local parish church. Allow yourself time for a religious retreat. Allow yourself to listen for God’s voice. Always make time for to listen for God’s call.

And then learn how to respond to God’s call.