Vocations change the course of history
In the Diocese of Christchurch, every Thursday is the day where we specifically pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. In the Gospel of Luke (10:1-12), we read about Jesus sending out 72 disciples to "go ahead of him." He says to them,
"The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest."
We must also pray fervently to the Lord for vocations, for men and women to respond to the Lord's call to "send labourers to his harvest."
As I was praying with this scripture, I was reminded of a chapter in George Weigel's powerful book, Letters to a Young Catholic, entitled "how vocations change history". In this chapter, Weigel shows the profound impact that individual vocations, specifically those of the laity, priests, and religious, have on the broader narrative of history
and culture. He used the example of St Pope John Paul II, who quietly but earnestly discerned his vocation to the priesthood in Poland, in the early years of World War II.
St Pope John Paul II heard the call of Jesus the Good Shepherd and responded. That decision changed history when we look at the impact of St John Paul II on the many young people he encountered as a parish priest, the impact he made in Poland as a bishop during communism, his selection as Pope, the role he played in ending communism, and in developing the Theology of the Body and World Youth Days. His twenty-seven years as Pope changed history for the better.
No doubt, many people prayed for him as he discerned his vocation. Today, there are people here in Christchurch, in New Zealand, and around the world, discerning a vocation. That vocation can also change history. Let us continue to pray for all young Catholics as they discern their own vocations — because their response will "resonate far beyond their immediate surroundings" and may very well transform the world.
