October 13 Sunday 28B. Vocation to the priesthood and religious life.  Fr Peter asked all the young people to give some serious thought to the question of vocations in general but especially to religious life.  Maurice had already been asking himself if God was calling him to give up everything and become a religious.  The priests were always going on about how necessary and important vocations are.  He discussed it too with his grandmother, as his parents didn’t seem very supportive.  She told him, “We all have a mission to follow Jesus, but there are many ways of doing this, and whatever way God is asking of you, don’t forget that you will still be called to care for families, because they are the foundation blocks of the Church.” “So I would even have 100 + children to love?” he thought. 

Reflect, share, act. Scripture: Jesus said, “There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:17-30.  Pope Francis:   The value in virginity lies in its symbolising a love that has no need to possess the other; in this way it reflects the freedom of the Kingdom of Heaven.  AL 161   Many people who are unmarried are not only devoted to their own family but often render great service in their group of friends, in the Church community and in their professional lives.   Sometimes their presence and contributions are overlooked causing in them a sense of isolation.  Many put their talents at the service of the Christian community through charity and volunteer work.  AL 158.  Action and Prayer.  What is your attitude towards a family member choosing to join a religious congregation? Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love, so that walking together we may renew the face of the earth.