"It's a common
mistake to think that God's 'works' and 'mighty deeds' are told only in
Scripture. Every person's life is God's work of art, an expression of His
creative love, His goodness, His compassion." -- from the
Magnificat prayer magazine
I think most people have moments in their lives in which
they can clearly see the hand of God at work. At other times, equally or more
important in our spiritual lives, God seems more hidden.
Let me relay one incident in my life, about 15 years ago,
where I saw God's "mighty deeds."
It began when I heard or read that one of the best ways to
promote vocations to the priesthood is to pray for them. Another
recommendation: if you know someone whom you think would be a good priest, you
should tell him.
Up to that point, I had never prayed much for religious
vocations, nor had I thought about who would make a good priest. But I
reflected for a moment and thought of my brother Tom. I had another single
brother at the time, but Tom popped into my head, and he was the only person I
thought about.
But how would I bring up the subject of the priesthood? It
seemed like such an awkward and random topic to broach. It happened to be the
beginning of Lent, so I decided to pray for vocations and my brother through
Lent, particularly at holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament, and when I saw
Tom on Easter, I would bring up the priesthood.
Lent went by quickly. Easter arrived . . . and I did
nothing.
I never had time alone with my brother or the right
opportunity to bring up the subject. More time passed -- more than a year, in
fact -- and I continued to think and pray about the possibility of my brother
becoming a priest.
He was passionately pro-life, and sometimes we talked late
into the night about pro-life issues and spiritual matters. That happened one
night as we walked out of the place where we both worked and lingered in the
parking lot to talk. Finally that awkward moment came, and I asked: "Have
you ever considered becoming a priest? I think you would make a good one."
He kind of paused and laughed. "Actually, I have. And
just last night I asked God to give me a sign."
My brother talked to the archdiocese vocations director and
entered the seminary when school began that fall. Tom later told me he was
taught in the seminary not to rely on or expect signs from God. I wasn't too
worried about that because his faith was rooted more deeply than that. But the
moment in the parking lot remained special for both of us.
It gave me goosebumps at the time and made feel like I was
soaring on the drive home. I think it's striking that if we are used by people
we're left feeling shamed and embarrassed. But when we feel God using us in His
plans, it's uplifting and intoxicating.
I continued to pray for Tom, for other seminarians and
vocations. He spent several years in the seminary but never was ordained a
priest. I'm not sure how his decision, after much discernment, to enter the
seminary and then leave it worked into God's plans. I am convinced, though,
that time spent in the seminary is never a waste of time. Tom was told early on
that most seminarians don't become priests, but that God richly rewards the men
who were willing to give their lives as priests.
I was happy for God working through me in His plans for
someone else, but I realized I could take no credit. It was the Holy Spirit who
planted the inspiration to pray into my heart, and he worked out the right
moment to inspire my brother.
But to see God at work is a blessing in itself.
"Grant us wisdom
to see Your works in our daily lives and to praise You at every turn . .
." Magnificat
Inspired
by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for
us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her
to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on
Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.
