I’d like to take a moment to share something that has been on my heart. As part of my responsibilities, I am tasked with being of support to those who want to receive certification as a “catechist” in the Archdiocese of Detroit. I put the word catechist in quotes, simply because it is a word that isn’t part of everyday vocabulary for most Catholics. That word is used to refer to those who are leading sessions to prepare individuals for sacraments or to learn more about Jesus, the Church, or any other faith issue. It is similar to the word “catechism-“ the book that contains all of the teachings, and is often used for the classes themselves, but in a way, using it to refer to the classes is a misuse. Well, back to my main point! In my role of preparing catechists for their task of sharing the faith with others, I assisted with a daylong retreat at Shrine of Jesus – The Divine Mercy in Clinton Township. There we heard the testimony of Mrs. Catherine Lanni and the sisters of the Order she founded, as well as some lay persons who have years of ministry experience in the archdiocese. It was hoped that these stories of being called into ministry would strike a chord in those listening.
All of the presenters took time to share a little bit about the reason they are ministering in the Church today. These stories all began with people thinking of themselves as just everyday folks who weren’t particularly special, or holy. Some of them even considered themselves especially NOT either of those things. What struck me most, however, was that in each of the testimonies, there was a point where these individuals allowed themselves to be vulnerable enough to step into uncharted territory. They had admitted, in prayer, that that they weren’t sure about what direction their lives would take, but that they’d be open to the promptings of the Spirit. Each prayed for direction and opened themselves up to listen to what God had to say. That vulnerability is scary for most of us.
Taking time in prayer to listen to God is often new to many. Taking the time to discern the events of the day to see where God may be speaking to us is even rarer! What I know of in my own life, and what I heard in those testimonies was a great peace and joy that comes when you come to know where God is calling you. Whether it is a big decision, or a smaller one, God is there to guide us. It may take time for us to figure out what God is saying, but God IS there to give us direction. How do we know it is God that we are hearing over our own personal desires and motivations? We know that the promptings and inspiration from God will always be aligned with love for everyone involved and will always radiate truth. If it is pure Truth, and Love, it is God speaking. We just need to open ourselves to listen!
