By Karen Schwaner Sheehy
Untitled by strecosa via Pixabay. CC0 Creative Commons
About three months back, I watched in gratitude as my sixteen-year old son, Joseph, was Confirmed. Today’s saint, and Joseph’s Confirmation Patron, is St. Francis De Sales, a perfect role model for the new evangelization. As a spiritual director, St. Francis taught that every Christian, no matter his or her state of life, gender or vocation, was called to an ordinary life of Christian devotion, a life of personal holiness modeled after Jesus. These teachings, outlined in his Introduction to the Devout Life, forged the way for Vatican II’s universal call to holiness.
During Joseph’s Confirmation, I marveled at his emotional, spiritual and behavioral growth over the last few years. You see, since his freshman year, he had been away from home, working and studying along-side many young Catholic men at a functional cattle ranch in Cody, Wyoming. There, he was becoming the man God had created him to be. The hard work, clean mountain air, daily rosaries, evening vespers, and self-paced home school curriculum proved the perfect answer for my son’s many learning challenges and special needs. Although the decision to send him away for school had been excruciating, I thank God, every day, for the necessary strength and grace to follow His promptings.
In today’s Gospel, we read about the sower and the seeds, the varied responses to God’s word, and subsequent fruit born by each, (Mark 4:3-20). Here, Jesus calls for true hearing and seeing, and for perseverance during life’s many distractions or hardships, (Mk 4:14-20). The life of St. Francis represents each of the Gospel’s spotlighted growing conditions. As a child, he sensed a divine call to the priesthood. Despite this, however, he did as his father directed, enrolled in college, received a doctorate in law, and studied fencing and riding as well. The Lord, for His part, continued to call Francis to the priesthood. Three times he was thrown from his horse, only to find his sword and scabbard on the ground in the shape of a cross. Finally, Francis did as the Lord directed. St Francis was ordained a priest and eventually became Bishop of Vienna. His spiritual direction and writings for laity changed the way ordinary Catholics lived.
Excerpt from my son’s Confirmation paper:
“Like St. Francis, I have struggled to hear the voice of God in my life. As I ride my horse through the beautiful Wyoming countryside, I slowly hear His words. These words, echoed through the story of St Francis and my various spiritual mentors, are calling me to a simple life filled with love of God and neighbor. This I can do, I can live a simple life of Christian devotion, so I say yes to Confirmation and to the Confirmation name of St. Francis De Sales.”
Are you prepared to receive and act upon the word of the Lord, to give your yes and become an advocate for the faith?
About the Author:
Karen Sheehy is a devout Catholic, wife and mother, motivational speaker, blogger and developer of spiritualsafariguide.com, your passport to a world of spiritual inspiration and understanding. To learn more about Karen Sheehy and her upcoming book entitled, The Healing Eyes of Mercy. A Journey Towards the Light of God’s Love, visit http://www.spiritualsafariguide.com
Karen Sheehy piece really resonated with me … my daughter Faith is profoundly deaf and after 5 years of having her home (she’s adopted) and knowing that I had tapped out my ability to teach her; we made the then agonizing decision to send her to a private school for the Deaf. It is 45 mins away — so she’s now gone 10 hours a day; 11 months of the year. The remarkable thing is when I surrendered to what I truly felt was God’s will for her – I not only had peace restored in my heart but also found myself blessed with many wonderful ministry opportunities to fill the time. What a good and gracious God, we have!! Thanks Karen for sharing your heart with us today !!
Thank you Allison for your words and for sharing your family story with us too. Faith and Joseph, each of us, and our families are all wrapped in God’s loving arms. God’s got this. He is indeed good and gracious, and also wise beyond our understanding. His wisdom and ultimate plans for our lives truly produce abundant fruit. Glad to hear Faith is doing so well at school. We all appreciate the time and energy which you pour into your various ministries to shine forth His glory.
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Thank you Gwen. God’s hand in our children’s lives can be so beautiful to behold, our struggle is to accept His plans and eventually allow them to play out. The true struggle and joy of Christian parenting. Have a great day!
I love that you included a piece of your son’s confirmation paper. What a beautiful testimony!
Thank you Sarah. A testimony, yes, but also a moment of thanksgiving for my son’s miraculous growth over the last couple of years. God is so good and the ultimate parent I say. Trying my best down here with His loving guidance. Have a blessed day.
Great message. It is so important that young people truly embrace the wisdom and grace received in the sacrament of Confirmation and to be inspired to live by it.
Linda
Thanks Linda and thank you for your devoted love and efforts in your own family as a Catholic mother and grandmother. Our family faith traditions are so important to this process.