There are many days when I get home in the early evening that I'd like to call it a day. However, I partly gave up that option with my ordination. Sometimes there's still another hour or more of work at the parish after the day is done at school. Occasionally, something will happen that gives me the fuel and inspiration to continue for the next 30 years.
Currently we are still conducting Confirmation interviews, and something that I've noticed time and again is that the young people I interview have an outstanding quality of honesty when it comes to the questions I ask. Certainly, I have the freedom to ask what I'd like, but also I'm given some questions of the ice breaker type just to get the interview going.
One question, which I have always felt was poorly written but over the years has lasted as long as the laminated card stock that it is printed on, is "On a scale of 1 to 10 how does the teen rate." The problem is that there is no indication which is best, one or ten. So I've had to improvise a little. I say, "Rate yourself as a one if your mother is making you be confirmed, and give yourself a ten if you heard a voice from on high *and* you also want to become a priest or nun in addition to being confirmed."
I have never had anyone rate himself or herself higher than eight or lower than four; however tonight all of that changed. I was pleasantly taken by surprise when the young lady sitting across from me gave me an enthusiastic and smiling response of "Definitely I'm a ten!"
I decided to investigate a little more, so I asked "Do you have any questions about Confirmation?" She had questions ranging from "How do I keep the Holy Spirit fresh after Confirmation," to "What exactly does a missionary do?" I couldn't let the opportunity pass to promote vocations. Here was a young person having genuine encounter with the Holy Spirit tugging on her heart. "Pray everyday," I told her "and keep yourself open to God's will in your life. Don't be afraid to give up some of the things that other people want to hang on to."
It does all of us a great deal of good to keep in mind that a vocation is something every Christian can enjoy whether we are married, single, clergy, religious, or lay people. Living a life in solidarity with those who cry out for justice, seeking higher and higher levels of personal holiness, and being obedient to the call and will of God are the ways that keep the the experience of the Holy Spirit fresh in our lives. Even more they are ways that lead us into a deeper walk with God.
I was surprised by the response that I got, and I pray for more responses like it in the future. I take it as a sign that we, as a Church, are heading in the right direction... Keep the young lady I interviewed in your prayers!
Awesome. :-) We'll be praying.
Posted by: JustMe | November 29, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Hmm, maybe I'd better be praying for two! I think we're just not used to you posting 2 or 3 articles all in the same century, DDW - we may've missed this one, but we'll catch up.
I'm thrilled with your news here.. if anything, we'd expect to read that some young man was inspired by you and your parish and its priest(s) to seek discernment of the Priesthood, but what a surprise God always throws our way, huh?
Her question, "How do I keep the Holy Spirit fresh after Confirmation?" is very DDW-muse-and-post-worthy material, isn't it, for it is rather timeless and ageless a question, I think. I'm sure that many RCIA folks would ask the very same.
Posted by: Carol | December 01, 2007 at 11:36 AM
I think this is just so inspiring; it fills me with hope, and I can well imagine what joy you must have experienced, deacon dan.
Posted by: Gabrielle | December 01, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Gabrielle--indeed it was quite a joy. Just the sheer enthusiam was enough! Keep her in your prayers.
Carol, I'll try my best to post more than twice next century, but don't wait that long before looking. There will be a homily posted tomorrow morning around 10 a.m. central time.
Posted by: Deacon DW | December 01, 2007 at 10:29 PM
I'll come read it right after Mass.
:-)
Posted by: Carol | December 02, 2007 at 01:01 AM
Well Deacon Dan your name goes before you! I was reading about you yesterday over at Justme's and now I've just finished reading this uplifting post.
Do you know there are no Permanent Deacons here in Ireland but I understand the first enrolments( for training) may be in the coming year.
A well known journal The Furrow ran a very informative article on Deacons and I have to say I personally look forward very much to their ordinations and integration into parish life here.
That unexpected response you wrote about is just typical of the Holy Spirit so full of surprises, working away and then jumping out at us when we least expect.
I'm very glad to have been introduced to this site and I don't know why I never clicked on the link that Gabrielle has @ Contemplative Haven, but I've found you now, and I thank God for it....and Justme!!
Posted by: Ann | January 02, 2008 at 02:21 PM