Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Called to Serve


As you read this, I will be sitting in a room, waiting for my name to be called, so I can be asked some questions, to see if I will be selected to serve on a jury.  Exciting right!

When people hear this, I normally get a mix of reactions. 

Eww!

 That sucks!

 HAHA Have Fun! 

Lucky!  I want to be on a jury!

To be honest, I am both not happy yet excited about this experience.  I am sure about 10 minutes in, I will mostly be not happy.  However, it is our duty to do this.  To serve.  Thankfully I won't have to do this again for another 10 years though, which I will be ok with.

So as all of you may know, today is the Feast day of Vincent the Deacon.  Given where we are as a parish, I have a new found respect towards deacons, especially ours. 

Vincent served as the deacon under Bishop Valerius of Saragossa.  While serving as deacon, he was imprisoned for his beliefs and Bishop Valerius was exiled and Vincent was imprisoned.  Vincent was a very outspoken man and spoke with great confidence.  This was often seen as a presumptuous and despitous type of man. 

While in prison he was offered a chance to save himself.  He was asked to give up his beliefs and burn the sacraments, to perform a pagan sacrifice.

He refused.  As a result he was martyred under Emperor Diocletian. 

Hearing this reminds me of the story that came about after the tragedy at Columbine High School.  There was a girl who was asked if she believed in God.  Very confidently she stands and proclaims, "Yes."

A book came out after the tragedy called She Said Yes.  It is the story of Cassie Bernall.  A 17 year old girl who was not afraid to believe in God.

As I await my name to be announced while I am questioned to see if I will be called to serve.  I realize, I have already been called.  I have already been asked to serve.  It is up to me to answer.

How do I answer this calling? 

 Secretly?  

When it is convenient? 

Or at all times in all aspects of my life?

But that is so hard to do!  Duh.  It's not supposed to be.  Is anything that important and special really that easy?

So today, I was called to serve.  Will I be selected?  I don't know.  However, what I do know is that I have been called.  And it is up to me to serve.  We are all called to serve, but how will we answer?  Yes, but only if it fits in with my schedule?  Or yes, in all aspects of my life. 

I leave you with the lyrics to a song.  The words of this song speak volumes.  When thinking about how we are called to serve and how we will answer.  Try to think of these words.

Unashamed Love
Ten Shekel Shirt

You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day 
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place 
Worthy, Worthy

I open up my heart and let my spirit worship Yours
I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth

Worthy, You are worthy

Of a child-like faith
And of my honest praise
And of my unashamed love
Of a holy life
And of my sacrifice
And of my unashamed love

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