A monthly letter from the Glenmary Vocation Office

September 2007

Glorifying God As You Let Your Light Shine

I often joke that “humility is my greatest quality.” Humility is an important characteristic of a Christian. Normally, only others can label you humble but there are times we identify ourselves as humble when we find ourselves truly humbled by events or by others or the great work of God.

When we are very intelligent, are strong workers or consider ourselves very talented in some way, humility can easily be lost. Sometimes, the more talent God gives us, the easier it is to think the talent comes from our hard work, dedicated study  or our natural ability. Even if we mouth the words, “I thank God for this ability” deep down we may think, act or feel that “I that developed it, earned it, or made it, and I sure am great.”

We are made in God’s image and God is all-powerful, all-good and all-wonderful. So if we are made in God’s image, the gifts we receive came from God too. “You are the light of the world,” Jesus says. “…Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:14-15). We are to use our talents and we are to shine, but in so doing we glorify God and not ourselves.

A good example is St. Paul. He was bright, an active missioner and very passionate about life and his ideals. Still he writes, “Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

This is a reminder that if we get too high on ourselves or forget that our talents are from God, God will find a way to humble us. Yet, even in this—our weaknesses—God is present.

Recently, I have received a great deal of congratulations for my “hard work” and the work of the vocation team. It feels very good and is appreciated. After all, we have 16 students this year and six years ago we had one! Yet, this praise really is misplaced. Yes, Kyle, Karen and I work hard and use our gifts to find and discern with men interested in joining Glenmary as priests and brothers. But the truth is it’s all God’s work.

The faith journey and response to God’s call of each one of our students humbles me and I feel fortunate to assist them in the fulfillment of their prayer. The spiritual journeys experienced by these 16 men are unique and for many of them, their call to missionary priesthood and brotherhood was a surprise as was finding their way to Glenmary.

Their presence is not a result of our prayers (though they help), our great advertising or Web site (though they play a role). Rather, its through the openness of these men to God’s whispering voice deep in the silence of their lives. They have chosen to change careers long held, cross oceans, learn new languages and risk much to become home missioners in the United States serving the people of rural America. This truly is humbling and for this I give all praise and thanks to God.

Thus as you search for the Spirit of Christ in your life, pray over this Scripture:

“Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness,
and found human in appearance,
He humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on
Him the name that is above every name,
that every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:5-11)

Humble yourself. Let go of all you know and are familiar with to become more like the image of God that we are alll formed in. Your gifts and talents will find new growth as they glorify God.