By Fr. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S

Earlier in the week I was picking up some groceries at a local store, and as I made my way down the aisle a Mom called out, “Ben, where are you.” A voice from a distant aisle calls back, “I’m over here mom.” I could tell from the tone of his Mom’s voice that Ben needed to get back to her side right now. I smiled as I thought about today’s Gospel reading and how Jesus the Good Shepherd knows each of us by name and calls to us to stay close by His side.

Do you realize that ever since you got up this morning God has been speaking to you? We hear His voice through the gift of family life, the beauty of creation, greetings from fellow parishioners, through quiet prayer, our scripture readings and soon we will hear his invitation to receive his Body and Blood, food for our spiritual journey. Just like young Ben, we get into trouble when we wander off on our own and fail to stay close to Jesus.

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Church asks us to reflect upon the call we have responded to in life and to encourage our young people to listen for the voice of Jesus in their lives. In looking at the various states in life, there are those who choose to live their vocational call to holiness as married couples, offering their sacramental love as a living sign of God’s love for all people. Some people live their call to holiness as a single person joyfully sharing their gifts and talents in the work-a-day world. Still others respond to the call to holiness as a priest or consecrated brother or sister.

Parents and grandparents, encourage your children to dream big dreams. So often around graduation time we ask young adults, “What do YOU want to do with your life?” Another approach to take is to ask, “What does JESUS want you to do with your life?” Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, and if we do what Jesus wants, then we end up doing what is best for us. How can you help:

• Pray for your children and grandchildren that they will be open to whatever God is calling them to in life and be willing to help them discern that call.

• Take a “see something, say something” approach to potential vocations within your own family and parish community. Simply say, “I believe you would be a great priest, brother or sister.”

• The involvement of your family in the activities offered in your parish will help create the life-giving environment necessary for nurturing vocations to Church ministry.

We’re here today because we have heard the voice of Jesus calling us to a richer, fuller life. May we always seek to be one flock, guided by one shepherd, offering praise and thanksgiving to God who offers us, His children, the gift of everlasting life.

Fr. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S. is Director of Vocations for the US Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.