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Blog_Called to carry Jesus to all people


Receiving an announcement can change our lives, if we let it. A new job opening or the loss of a job, a clean bill of health or critical news, a call to volunteer in the inner city or to accept a high-paying position.

Probably one of the most earthshaking announcements was that of the angel who spoke to Mary. Let us reflect for a moment on Mary's response to the unexpected announcement: "You will bear a Son. His name will be Jesus." And Mary's response to the angel was “Yes.” Mary was being called by God; it was her call to total self-offering; there was no time for "cold feet," only courage and abandonment to His divine will.

A personal announcement that I'd like to share was God's call to religious life. For my happiness and God's desire for me, I could not help but listen and respond. It was not a call to my best friend or the one who seemed more likely to receive this invitation, but to me. It was a call, an announcement, to make a radical difference in my life and in the world. It was a call to total self-offering.

What will Mary's "yes" mean now? She prepares for the next step, the journey to visit Elizabeth, the joyful announcement of the one she carries. We do not hear of hesitation, worry about the length of the journey, the harsh weather or the difficult terrain, whether Joseph would or would not accompany her. Luke's Gospel tells us, "...she went in great haste!" She knew what she had to do; she was carrying Jesus!

What would my next step mean: faithfulness to the call, peace and joy. Jesus wished me to be a living Gospel for those with whom I would live most closely as well as to the whole world. As a Sister of St. Joseph, Florida would be the missionary territory, and I would be an instrument with which God would work (in me and through me). The next step: Go in haste to do what you must do; be a daughter of the living Gospel, for you are called to carry Jesus to all people.

This Year of Consecrated Life encourages religious everywhere to reflect on their call, to renew the joy of God's unconditional love in our lives. And then ''like Mary, who was driven by the breath of the Spirit, to fulfill our own vocation to move out” (quote from “Rejoice!” a letter to consecrated men and women taken from the teachings of Pope Francis). 

Comments from readers

Berta Cabrera - 04/21/2015 12:55 PM
Dear Sister Jane and all of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida. It has been a blessing to have spent 30 years of my professional life associated with your ministry through Mercy Hospital and now at St. John Bosco Clinic. On behalf of all those we serve at the clinic please accept our gratitude for all you do in caring for the underserved. God Bless You Berta Cabrera Executive Director SSJ Health Foundation & St. John Bosco Clinic
Sister Lidia Lidia Valli - 04/20/2015 03:10 PM
I am grateful to share with sr.Jane the call to consecrated life. I am serving at the Marian Center School and Services, Inc. and I never dreamt to come to Miami. Our Lord is creative!He is Our Lord. Our students and adults with developmental disabilities teach us every day to be grateful and to thank our Lord for our life. May our Lord bless each person whom He called to the consecrated life and make each one of us authentic witnesses of His love.
Deacon Tom Hanlon - 04/20/2015 02:11 PM
Sister Jane, I thank the Lord for you and all the Good Sisters of St Joseph who taught me at St Theresa High School in Coral Gables in the 1950's. I know it was through their intercession that led me to become a Deacon in 1994. There was our principal, Sister Marie Bernard, Sister Rose DiLima and Sister Thomas Joseph that I remember the most. They were not easy at times but they loved the Lord and loved their students. Again thank you! Deacon Tom Hanlon St Louis Catholic Church Pinecrest

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