No vacation from our vocation
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Father Luis A. Rivero
Summer is here! The days are longer, the nights shorter, the temperature is rising and the afternoon showers are rolling in. It’s that time of year when we enjoy days in the sun at the beach or by the pool. The barbecue gets a little extra use and the citronella candles go on sale. If you have children you may be wondering what activities to plan to keep them entertained.
In essence the lazy days of summer are upon us and, let’s be honest, don’t we get so caught up in filling the time that we neglect what is important? I don’t know about you but I always find myself struggling the first weeks of summer recess because the routine or structure is thrown off. At first it seems like a wonderful thing but as days go by there is a restlessness, the feeling that “something” is missing.
The absence of external structure puts to the test my interior commitment. When I no longer have to wake up early in the morning to say Morning Prayer with the community, or I have the option of going to daily Mass in the morning or evening, I don’t have a scheduled period of time in the day for my meditation or daily conversation with Christ. Then the question becomes, “Am I faithful?”
It is during this vacation period that our free will is put to the test. If you are anything like me you may have found yourself in the past finding a reason to bypass Sunday Mass in order to have dinner or lunch with a friend or family member you have not seen since perhaps last summer. We can easily rationalize and forget what is important. We can easily forget that attending Sunday Mass, in whatever part of the world we are in, remains essential to our relationship with Christ.
Recently some friends of mine were speaking of their “stay-cation”. I asked what that meant and they explained that in light of the economic situation, instead of going on vacation they were going on “stay-cation”, meaning they are off from work but remaining at home. I thought this was hilarious! Nonetheless, it was a great insight into how we should approach this time in which the external structure, be it work, school, seminary or ministry, breaks down. We ought to remain faithful to our vocation. We ought to receive this time, whether at home or away, as a moment of remaining, a moment of “stay-cation.”
The fact of the matter is that our vocation — as a married couple, a single person, a consecrated religious, an ordained deacon, priest or bishop — is not something we can flee from. We can’t remain connected to Christ and be on vacation from our vocation. We can’t run from the Lord’s call in our lives. Therefore, following the insight of my friends, this period of time in which the days get longer, the nights get shorter, the temperature rises and showers water the earth is a great time to examine our conscience and interiorize our vocation so that we remain in a state of “stay-cation.”
So I ask myself, and you: How can I remain connected to Christ when the lack of external structure makes it somewhat harder? How can I remain in a “stay-cation” in light of my vocation?
Deacon Luis A. Rivero
Seminarian, Transitional Deacon, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach
Comments from readers
I can remain connected to Christ because He's present, here and now. Here, in my room, while I'm watching the storm and listening the thunders. Now, in this moment of solitude and wonder. He's present in the mystery of the union of the Christian community. He's present in the faces of my friends... like Luis.
For this reason every circumstance is a grace (even a boring meeting in NY): because reality is Christ who is looking for me.
Stanton:
I look forward to the return come August. I hope you too are able to get some rest so that in August we can get to work on all the things we have spoken of.
Vero:
Is the one whom has coined the phrase "stay-cation." Thank you for the insight and know of my prayers for the upcoming celebration!
Erik:
Center and balance are the key ingredients for a man of integrity, thank you for your witness throughout these years that!
Jose Pedro:
Indeed the position of the humble beggar is that which we must imitate. Know of my prayers during this time!
Br. Richard:
Absolutely! In remaining fixed to reality and growing deeper in our humanity we have the opportunity to grow. Thank you for the insight!
Christina:
Thank you for your words and personal witness.
Estrellita:
Thank You!
Fr. Roberto:
Returning to the basics, essential to grow more aware of our humanity, as you say "inviting us to re-accept in our lives." Thank you for your "Yes!" and the wonderful job you have been doing in the Vocations Office. Know of my prayers as we begin the Year of the Priesthood.
Angie:
Thank you for the reminder but also I would offer you the same wishes and hope and pray that you too embark on this work that each one of us has to do individually and with a community.
Dan:
Keep It UP!!! May your summer be blessed and remain focused on Him who has called us all by name!
Thanks for the reminder and the challenge. I pray that we both remain faithful to our calls and continue to heed the Lord�s promptings. Have a great summer as you continue to prepare for priestly ordination.
Dan
I'd have to quote what others have commented in this blog, it is a good reflection that reminds us "...not to waste the opportunity that the summer brings us. Hopefully, it won't be just a time of "staying", but a chance to improve."- R. Demaria.
Good luck on understanding and grasping the concept of this so called "stay-cation" :p
As stated, it's very hard for many to do....
-Angie C.
The idea of the "staycation" is very much in line with returning to basics which the economic situation is inviting us to re-accept in our lives.
God bless you,
Fr. Roberto
The lack of external structure is definitely a challenge, yet we are called as Catholics to take that which the external structure is trying to provide: Love of God- in mind, body and spirit and internalize it-exercise it, if you will, on our own.
When it comes to sunday mass-missing it or not- I am at fault too! I ask myself: "Don't you desperately need God?" The answer for me is -of course! That makes me not to miss sunday mass even if I am tired or busy-or simply do not "feel-like" going. Yet we all know deep down that the peace we receive is great! And any day that goes by without receiving...Our Daily Bread...as the Our Father puts it...YOU are missing out!
As far as the rest of our time, it is important during this time that we actually take care of ourselves- physically and mentally and rest- reading good books that may bring us to Christ, exercising, spending time with family and friends-exuding the christian joy we are called to have, praising God at all times! Always in gratefulness and in awe of nature His masterpiece. Also, I say try smiling at your neighbor (often) and doing little good deeds for others. The rest that He wants you to do -He will reveal- day by day ! Just be alert!
Have a wonderful staycation in the vocation during this summer of '09!
Your message comes at just the right moment, reminding us not to waste the opportunity that the summer brings us. Hopefully, it won't be just a time of "staying", but a chance to improve. During vacation, there is more time for us to be really present to those whom we meet and to avoid the tendency to rush past someone because we think we have something more important to do. I pray taht I will use the days away from work well during these coming months. Richard