We are Called...

We are called by God to fulfill the purpose he has set forth for us. Sometimes it is easier to understand God's call for us... this weekend I answered a call from God. I went to a Frassati Conference in the Lafayette Diocese. This time around God's call was blunt. During the Spring Semester 2011 I went on a retreat called Boiler Awakening...while there I received an affirmation (a phrase that the retreat staff came up with that described my faith and how I live it). My affirmation..."Live out Loud"...the name of the Frassati Conference..."Live out Loud"!!

The main focus of the conference was to present to us Young Adult Catholics ways in which we can live our faith out loud in a world that calls us to conform and accept new ideas that go against our faith just because they are becoming a new norm or a new idea.

This weekend challenged me on multiple levels. How can I live out my faith, should I be blatantly Catholic...am I already? Does this mean something different for someone who works for a Catholic Church...I should already be living Catholic. What can I do to truly live the word's of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary." What can I do to live out my faith intentionally not only to live as an example to others but to strengthen my faith life as well?

The reoccurring theme for me though, continues to be discernment. I am no closer to figuring out what God is calling me to as a vocation, but I did pick up a few tools on how to discern a call and a deeper understanding of the vocation of Single life. I know what I want and what I feel would make me most happy. But, does this match up with what He wants for me and what He is calling me to do.

Single life would allow me to use my gifts to serve without needing to be able to provide for others...I could offer myself 100% to my ministry and not worry about devoting my time elsewhere. However, this leaves me feeling empty with a longing for another to love and live for. The Married life would allow me to serve with both my talents and as a husband drawing a woman closer to Christ as she draws me closer to Him. The Priesthood or religious live would allow me to fill that void in a different way, with Him and with community. I feel that this may hinder me slightly in using my talents to their fullest extent...not many priests run a website...create the bulletin...or do the maintenance work around the church. I feel that these are the tools I have been given to serve Him and I have a desire to serve Him with my talents even though I could possibly make more money elsewhere. This is my dilemma, a strong pull toward the married life...and the struggle to discern whether or not what I want is what He wants.