Denise LaRock asks… “Have you been following the Church’s new rockstar? Were you one of the few select millions able to spend a few days with Pope Francis in Rio for World Youth Day? Pope Francis on the beach leading the Way of the Cross with millions of young people–Jesus teaching on the shore of Galilee…
Now picture Jesus along the shore calling the fishermen to follow Him. Without reservation they did the “Come and See” thing. Do you have that kind of faith and courage? Ask and you will receive!
Do you follow Busted Halo? Here is a link to their video in Rio about answering the call:http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/video-answer-the-call
So what has Pope “Rockstar” Francis had to say about THE CALL? While at WYD, he spoke to the volunteers (http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-wyd-volunteers-may-you-always-be-generous). Here are some things he said:
“May you always be generous with God and with others: one loses nothing thereby, but gains great enrichment in life.”
“God calls you to make definitive choices, and he has a plan for each of you: to discover that plan and to respond to your vocation is to move toward personal fulfillment. God calls each of us to be holy, to live his life, but he has a particular path for each one of us.”
“Some he calls to the service of others in the religious life: devoting themselves in monasteries to praying for the good of the world, and in various areas of the apostolate, giving of themselves for the sake of all, especially those most in need.”
“Do not be afraid of what God asks of you! It is worth saying ‘yes’ to God. In him we find joy!”
“Dear young people, some of you may not yet know what you will do with your lives. Ask the Lord, and he will show you the way. The young Samuel kept hearing the voice of the Lord who was calling him, but he did not understand or know what to say, yet with the help of the priest Eli, in the end he answered: Speak, Lord, for I am listening (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-10). You too can ask the Lord: What do you want me to do? What path am I to follow?”
What is God’s plan for your personal fulfillment? On what path will it take you? How will you reach out now to those most in need? How will you do it through your vocation?
The Lord tells us more than anything else in the scriptures “do not be afraid.” Listen, and take a step to answer the call you hear, do not be afraid. God’s love, grace and mercy are abundant—be not afraid!
Did you hear/read the Pope’s homily for the Mass with Seminarians and Novices? Check it out!
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130707_omelia-seminaristi-novizie_en.html
I was at the Life Teen website http://lifeteen.com/epic-pope-francis-quotes-world-youth-day-rio-2013/ Here are some quotes that stood out for me:
“What do I expect as a consequence of the Youth day? I expect a mess. There will be one. There will be a mess here in Rio? There will be! But I want a mess in the dioceses! I want people to go out! I want the Church to go out to the street! I want us to defend ourselves against everything that is worldliness, that is installation, that is comfortableness, that is clericalism, that is being shut-in on ourselves. The parishes, the schools, the institutions, exist to go out!”
One more:
“Do not be afraid!” When we go to proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes before us and guides us. When he sent his disciples on mission, he promised: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). And this is also true for us! Jesus does not leave us alone, He never leaves you alone! He always accompanies you.
So, are you a Pope Francis fan? If so, how will you follow Jesus’s call to seek out those most in need and do something to show Christ’s love??
Tags: discernment, Pope, Pope Francis, vocations, Youth
