If I say, ‘I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name’,
then within me there is something like a burning fire
shut up in my bones;
I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot. (Jer 20:7)
As convinced as each of us may be in our vocation, there are likely to be times when we want to ‘hide away’. We may be tired or disillusioned. It may be a sign we need a break from our ministry. Yet, the first time I heard this passage, 20 years ago, it named my perception of being ‘grabbed’ by God – being ‘on fire’. Does the passage resonate with you?
Each of us in our own way is called by God. Our task is to discern that calling. Whether our vocation is religious or lay, we are all members of the body of Christ and we each have our part to play in building up that body. With the myriad of choices on offer, young people can feel uncertain. They may not be ‘on fire’ with a particular calling. Sometimes we need to set out on a journey and it is only when we look backward – and we all have 20-20 hindsight – that we can see God shaping us, drawing us on. But we need enough ‘mountain top’ moments to keep us moving!
If you’d like to share how the passage resonates with you – I’d love to hear from you!
Have a great week!
Patrick
livedgospel 