When I was 18, my grandmother introduced me to Proverbs 31, a scripture passage she has always tried to live her life by. In it, the "ideal wife" is described: "When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls..."
Since then, I too have tried to imitate the woman in this proverb. Yet, even after trying to live by the characteristics of charity, diligence, prudence and resourcefulness mentioned in the scripture, I still find myself pondering over the woman's sons, who, the proverb states, "rise up and praise her." Her sons are arrows in her husband's quiver, and he is proud of them and her.
At first, I felt despair at not having sons of my own. Yet, as I reflected more and more on this proverb, I came to a new realization. If the reader steps back from the literal view of Proverbs 31 and views it more as a symbolic representation of us, the Church – as the bride doing all we can to serve the bridegroom, Jesus Christ – we gain a better interpretation of the woman's fidelity toward her family, her holy family.
As good Christians, we too practice keeping the light burning for Christ and use our industriousness to bring resources to the Church. But what about the sons?
When my grandmother realized she was going to have her first child, she immediately fell to her knees and prayed a prayer dedicating the child to God. Consequently, her firstborn, my father, became a Methodist minister.
In my classroom at school, I meet at least one student every few years in whom I feel the Holy Spirit is already at work, planting the seed of a religious vocation. Through their attitude, their knowledge of the scriptures, and their inquiry into the faith, I already see within these boys a yearning to serve the Church. As their teacher, I try to offer encouragement and answer questions.
And when I had my daughter, I too remembered my grandmother's prayer and I gave her to God's holy service. As I do for my students, I encourage her to consider the possibility that God has a special vocation in mind for her, perhaps as a wife and mother or as a religious sister.
Interestingly enough, the young students who are already contemplating a call to the priesthood are in families where a close relative is particularly active within the Church: an uncle who is a priest, a father who is a deacon, or a parent who leads faith formation classes. These children's lives are already intertwined with the Church. Discussions of Church teachings and vocational callings are already commonplace within their homes. Inquiries about the faith are encouraged and fostered.
But what about other children? Sure, most of my students are from strong Christian families, but how do they too become open to hearing God's call? How do we encourage our young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood?
In searching for an answer, let us consider Luke 2:41-51, which tells of Mary and Joseph finding the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple after a long and desperate search: "After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, 'Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.'"
Their reaction was understandable, the same all parents would have. Mary's question also reflects some parents' reluctance to understand the call the Lord is sending to their children.
Before he became a Methodist minister, my father had a prominent job in marketing. One day he came to my grandmother in tears, telling her that he felt a strong desire to enter the ministry. The first thing she told him was to see a doctor. Remember, this is the same mother who gave her son to God before he was even born. But this sudden calling bewildered, even frightened her.
We all want to see our children succeed, graduating from college with high-paying jobs in top-ranking professions. However, to raise a priest, our thinking may need to shift. Remember Jesus' rebuttal when His apostles were arguing about who was the greatest among them? "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)
In the Gospel of Luke account about finding the child Jesus in the temple, it goes on to tell us that the Holy Family returned home to Nazareth, but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Is pondering not unlike questioning? Questioning is fine. Questioning allows for understanding. Luke goes on to state that Jesus continued to live obediently with His parents until His time came. So they returned to a quiet life, but they kept an open dialogue with God. As in Luke 1:66 when John the Baptist was brought for circumcision, the family, witnessing many miraculous occurrences, asked, "What, then, will this child be?" Even through all their questions, Luke continues by saying, "The child grew and became strong in spirit..." (Luke 1:80)
We are embarking on a momentous occasion in our diocese, with a new college seminary set to open in August. What a positive step of encouragement for the young men of our state, and especially of our diocese. As the lay people of our diocese, it is now our duty to increase the dialogue, the pondering, and the inquiry of our students, sons, grandsons and friends to explore this unique opportunity to embark on a journey of complete self-giving, becoming a servant of all. Let us follow the example of the Holy Family, and make our homes a place of inquiry and prayer, with our hearts open to the working of the Holy Spirit, so that more of our sons can serve Christ.
"Young man I say to you, arise!" (Luke 7:14)
April Parker is a member of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, where she teaches third grade at St. Pius X School. Parker is also an author and freelance writer.