God's Convincing Love
Many of God’s prophets and servants in the Bible are reluctant about their call to serve God and His people. In fact, Moses protests about five times as he tries to walk away from God’s call. There’s always a constant struggle between ‘what God wants’ and ‘what I want.’ But in the end, the promise of a better world, the promise of eternal life, and the promise of God’s infinite love and mercy win the hearts of those who listen to His voice.
God calls everyone to make a difference in the world. The smallest act of love makes a difference in people’s lives. Years ago I heard God’s calling in a very particular way. It was a call to follow Him as a priest. I, too, listened to His voice reluctantly; but the more I opened my heart, the more I became convinced that this is what I want in life: to serve God and His people through the Church.
When Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, a humble indigenous peasant, and asked him to be her messenger, he, too, was reluctant in his calling and begged our Lady to call and send someone else instead of him. Eventually, our Lady convinced him that all of us are called to something greater than ourselves; Juan Diego realized that every human being, through the Grace of God, can make a difference in the world. He, like all the prophets and saints, trusted in the Lord.
In spite of my own limitations, I, too, trust in the Lord. The struggle is far from being over, but I have said yes to God’s call because I dream every day of a better world. I long for eternal life and I believe in God’s infinite love and mercy for all of humanity.
Before ordination takes place, I’d like to express my infinite gratitude to God and His people for all the blessings I’ve received from them. Thanks for being patient with me. Thank you for making me the person I am today. I am grateful to you, the people of God, for your prayers and financial support. It is for you, because of you, and with you, that I want to strive and dedicate my life to the service of God, the Church, and all of you. I also thank my family and friends for their prayers and care. I am grateful to Bishop Thompson and the entire Diocese of Evansville for giving me the opportunity to share, to serve, and to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God on this side of the world.
