E  -  V  O  C  A  T  I  O  N

THE ART OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

Politics has been called the art of the possible. Which is why, instead of adopting a visionary approach to intractable problems, politicians respond with baby steps, pragmatism, and compromise. Leaders aim to achieve what they can rather than what anyone finds desirable or satisfying.

Plausibility is a useful standard when determining which activities are worth our investment. So it's disturbing when the disciples around Jesus assess that salvation sounds like an implausible outcome, given the high standards set by Jesus ("sell all you have and follow me.") Surprisingly, Jesus half-agrees. "For human beings this is impossible," Jesus verifies. "But for God, all things are possible." (Matt. 19:25-26) 

Perhaps this teaching makes religion the art of the impossible. A sin-wounded humanity can only go so far on its own before it fails. Divine forgiveness is therefore essential. So is grace, to get up and try again. The Spirit is also vital, to guide a blinded people forward through the darkness of history. Without the vision of faith beckoning us to hope and dream for a Kingdom coming, we're seemingly obliged to settle for the art of the possible with its shared crumbs of compromise.

It may be helpful to make a list of all the things you want most, such as: the ability to forgive; to say, "I love you" with ease; peace on earth, a healthy planet, leaders dedicated to the common good, and bishops with wisdom and courage. Slip them into your prayerbook. Then pray as if you mean it.

—Alice Camille,
reprinted with permission from TrueQuest Communications

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BON VOYAGE!

THE FIRST TIME I registered to attend a World Youth Day, I saw that participants were referred to as “pilgrims.” The term struck me as odd at first. Why were we being called pilgrims? Of, course, I knew that people going on a pilgrimage to a holy site were called pilgrims. But I didn’t really associate traveling to lush, vibrant Rio de Janeiro in that light—until I was standing on Copacabana Beach with 3 million other pilgrims from around the world, laughing, singing, and praying. It was overwhelmingly and deeply spiritual. The gathering itself was made sacred by the faith-filled people present there. Indeed, we were pilgrims on a life-changing holy pilgrimage.

But our journey didn’t end there. It was simply a stop along the way of a longer voyage on which all Christians embark. As followers of Christ, we are called to make our way toward “a better homeland, a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:16). It is a journey filled with hope—hope in the Good News that our sins are forgiven and that all are welcome to the banquet of God’s love. It is a hope that we see lived out in the men and women in consecrated life featured in these pages who have dedicated their lives to helping others through prayer and service and the special charisms of their communities. Whether herding sheep, teaching physics, writing theological reflections, or traveling through the jungle with machete in hand, these fearless men and women personify belief in God’s saving grace, which heals all wounds and makes us whole.

VISION is designed to be a valuable guide on your vocation journey as you strive to be a pilgrim of hope in your own unique and vital way. The world needs your courage, compassion, and adventurous spirit, particularly in a Jubilee Year in which the church is asking each of us to reconcile, unify, and “fan the flame of hope that has been given to us.” We thank you for the privilege of helping you chart a course that will provide you with a joyful and generous life filled with faith, hope, and, above all, love—the divine source of our being.

—Patrice J. Tuohy,
VISION Publisher

In the current issue:

• Five reasons to pray the Liturgy of the Hours
• Discover five treasures of religious life
• Sister Vilma’s fearless faith
• From physics lab to friary—and back again
• No regrets: A grateful priest takes stock

Find much, much more in VISION 2025!

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Please be sure to contact vocation directors of the communities that interest you when you go through Vocation Match. You will find their help essential as you sort through your options and consider your best course.

Please let us know what more we can do to help you in your discernment or ministry.

Contact Jennifer Tomshack at jenniferrebecca@truequestweb.com.

 

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