LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD
     In the gospel this weekend, we are presented with the story of Martha and Mary. This particular gospel is oftentimes used to talk about our own unique vocation, which is our sharing in the life and work of God. Mary and Martha personify the two indispensable attitudes in any vocation: work and contemplation. If there is one reason why Christianity exists, it is to bring us back to the Father in heaven, and the way we accomplish that is to live out our baptismal commitment. But in order for us to respond fully to the demands of our baptism, we have to know first our own vocation, our calling in life.  Oftentimes when we hear the word vocation, we immediately connect it with the priesthood or religious life. But that is only one side of the coin; when we speak of vocation, we also refer to marriage and single life— they are of equal value and importance. Each one of us is called to a particular way of life: many are called to married life, some into single blessedness and others, like me, are called to the priestly or religious life. Each of these vocations is not greater than the other— the difference lies in how we respond to the call of God.
     A very important aspect of our call, whether it is to marriage, single life or the priesthood, is faithfulness. When a husband says “yes” to marry his wife, he is at the same time saying “no” to all the other women in the world no matter how beautiful or smart the women whom he will be meeting in the future. When I said “yes” to God and the Church to embrace the priesthood, I was saying “no” at the same time to all the other things that would distract me to keep the promise I made during my ordination. The things that we give up when we commit ourselves to a particular relationship actually free or liberate us to be the best person we can be as a husband, wife, priest, nun, or as a single person. It helps us to remain faithful with and focus on our commitments, while at the same time transforming ourselves into what God wants us to be.  It is when we are not sure of what we want in life that we fall into the temptation to lead a double life. There can be nothing more harmful in any relationship than having a double life. It not only breeds deceit, but it also harms the integrity of any relationship. As what one of the priests in my seminary used to say to the seminarians when he speaks of honesty and integrity of life, “we are as sick as our secrets.”  Looking at our own unique vocation in life at this very moment, can we say that we have done our very best? If not, what else is lacking? – Fr. Cary