Word to the Wise
Monday, January 12, 2009 - Monday in the First Week in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 1:1-6 and Mark 1:14-20]Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
The bishops of the United States have a nation-wide program of "vocation-recruitment" which is called, "Fishers of Men." Today's gospel scripture shows where they got the title. It should be noted, in the interests of accuracy and scriptural meaning, that Jesus probably did not have that program in mind! He was calling disciples - period! Nevertheless, the question of disciples who will give their lives in service to the Church is a critical one in the United States at the moment. The most recent issue of the national Catholic publication, AMERICA, is devoted to the subject. One of the articles, by Fr. Richard Malloy, SJ, offers a number of helpful hints to those who would be interested in promoting vocations to priesthood and religious life. (I assume that Mother Nature is the best recruiter to vocations to the married state!) A number of broad surveys have indicated that Catholic priests in the USA are quite happy with their vocation in life. They are not basically lonely, sex-starved curmudgeons (despite what some media try to portray). At the same time, these same men are not making much effort to attract others to their vocation. This is not as unusual as one might think if one considers that many lawyers and doctors show the same reluctance. Nor is celibacy the big issue, if those surveys are to be credited. What seems to be at work here in all those professions is a perception that "even if I am content, the job is too difficult to recommend to someone anymore. It's just not what it used to be....etc. etc." A third thing at work concerns family dynamics in our culture. Smaller families means that grandchildren are less numerous and potential grandparents are not anxious to send their offspring off to a celibate vocation! The future of ministry in the church may well be in recruiting good disciples of both sexes. But the priesthood encompasses the sacramental system, which requires a particular recognition by the church: ordination! If the celebration of the Eucharist is to continue on the regular daily basis or, as in some mission areas, monthly basis, ordained priests are necessary. Right now the USA is rapidly becoming a mission country again, served by priests from other lands. This is rather strange given the fact that there are 60 million Catholics here! I think we had better begin to imitate Jesus and start calling people again. Any one of us can be a vocation recruiter. AMEN
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