A quick
but massive ‘thanks’ goes out to all the families and individuals who donated the
wads of cash and prayers which got me here, in particular to the LaBonnes, the Simons,
the Frenches the Ryalls, M. Toohey, R. Lalor, A. Wilson, C. Ryan, A. Fragapane,
D. Tremble, & the Cistercians at Tarrawarra Abbey.
We live in a world that says that the only meaning in life is to be happy, and the only way to be happy is to have sex. If that is true, then it would make sense that consecrated people would be the most miserable people in the world. And here's the cliche: Every person I have ever met who lives consecrated life has been overflowing with joy. These people are living the complete opposite to everyone else and yet they often seem to have found the very thing that the rest of the world is chasing after. What sort of madness would compel a person to live a life of poverty, chastity and obedience? And yet, these people willingly hand over their freedom, their security and their sexuality to a God that they cannot see.
Consecrated life is crazy, and those that live this life are driven by a very real madness. However it is the madness of love that drives them. Consecrated life proclaims to the world that God is real, that he is madly and passionately in love with humanity and that this love is the one true thing that our hearts desire. The call of Christ is to not just be a spectator when it comes to God. Many people are happy to sit on the sidelines and profess that they live for Christ, while in reality, they live for themselves. Consecrated life is a particular call to place your life completely in the hands of God and allow him to take you wherever he desires. It is a way of saying, “I believe the reality of this so much that I am prepared to give everything and not look back”. This can look like a huge sacrifice, yet it is one that is repaid immensely.
In the gospel, Jesus says that all those who give up their home and family to follow him will be repaid a hundred fold in this life. What he means is that when we give God this small offering of our life and everything we own, he gives us his life and everything he owns in return. By taking this step into the unknown, we discover the superabundance of God’s love.
It is very clear that not everyone is called to this life. Yet the great tragedy of the church is that so many who are called are too afraid to trust God and make the jump. We can be a lot like Peter when Jesus called him to step out of the boat and walk on the water. Do not look at your own weakness but set your eyes upon the immense love of God. Listen to his word calling you, put your hand in his and trust that he is leading you to a place of true joy.
