Page 225 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

He gives himself to us when we are ready to receive him, but he also gives himself to us when
we are not ready. In this case, he gives himself to us to prepare us to receive Him. He is the one
who comes to prepare our hearts. He is the one who comes to open our hearts to his Word.

So, if we fear of being too far away from him or if we have neglected him for too many years,
for a long period of time, and if we would think deep down that it is too late to return to him,
let us remind ourselves that no, it is never too late!

Another fear we may dread is what God might ask of us. We want God, for sure! We want to
pray, of course, but we also hope there are certain things God will not ask of us. Oh yes, we all
want God to be present in our life, but we also want to keep Him at a certain distance.

You surely know the expression which states that “There is none so deaf as those who will not
hear.” So, there are times when we would be ready to hear things from God but at other times,
we are not ready. Because often, in fact, things are not black and white, not all or nothing.

We really like to hear about some things. For example, we like to hear of mercy, especially
the mercy of God. Wouldn’t we also like to hear of his forgiveness? We very much like to hear
about God’s forgiveness! But perhaps we do not like to hear about his commandments.
Perhaps we do not like to be reminded that we must also forgive. When it is about God
pardoning us, we like to hear it. But being told to forgive others, we are in no hurry to pay
attention, we are not at all quick to forgive, not ready to hear the call to forgive. Forgiveness
is a gift that goes further, giving twice as much, and we are probably not ready to go there, yet.

So, am I afraid of what God could be asking of me? Probably yes, because I know that it could
have something to do with my vocation. Am I, ultimately, afraid to hear God’s call? My plan
for live is worked out, my project is set, and every step of my career is planned right up to
retirement. I do not want God to interfere with this! Am I ready to hear the call of God, what-
ever it is? Being afraid to hear the call of God when it is about our vocation is quite normal. We
should not be surprised about this.

Take the example of the vocation to marriage! So many people hesitate to commit them-
selves. They surely want to live as a couple, they want to establish a family, but the idea of
getting married, giving oneself permanently to another, for life, is an altogether different
matter! One prefers to keep an exit strategy!

Furthermore, in one way or the other, one might not feel ready to hear this call of radical
self-giving, not ready to respond to the call to consecrated life as a priest.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 225