"I am the Good Shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep."- Jn. 10:14-15
(Readings for the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop)
Perhaps the greatest and most universal obstacle to a young person responding to their vocation is a fear of not being good enough. The thoughts go like this: "Who am I to think of being a religious sister" or "Why would God choose me to be a priest?" I imagine this comes into play when a couple discerns marriage as well: "Why on earth would this person want to be with me?"
I often wonder if this is the obstacle to many individuals who make an initial attempt to follow Christ but back-slide into former lifestyles or relationships, "Jesus wouldn't really want me to follow Him, He wants holier people than I."
This is one of those places that I feel like the evil one can be so sly. It is universally accepted and known that no priest or religious sister merits the vocation they have received. So too, the happiest couples I've met are couples who remain in awe that the other person has chosen them. This is because you and I, quite frankly, are not the Good Shepherd Jesus is. It is His life which comes to fill us, work in us, convert us and make us into shepherds after His heart. In this Vocation Awareness Week, may we surrender to the life of the Good Shepherd residing within us.
How can I invite the Good Shepherd to live in me?
Father, give us an abundance of priests and religious men and women who courageously respond to the call of being known by the Good Shepherd.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here
