I still vividly remember the day I was about twelve years old, praying alone inside our parish church. I thought I heard Jesus speaking to me, telling me to be a priest. That was one of my earliest profound encounters with Him.
I had another personal encounter with Jesus in prayer when I was in the third year of high school at the minor seminary. After returning to the seminary from our monthly weekend visits with our families at home, our first activity was evening prayer and benediction. As the priest lifted the monstrance bearing the Sacred Host, I heard Jesus urging me to gather my fellow students after dinner to pray in a room. So, after dinner, I bravely invited some of them to join me in prayer. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we all knelt down, raising our hands and voices to pray and sing to Jesus. This experience sparked the beginning of a weekly prayer meeting among fellow seminarians.
In my prayers and my work as a priest, I have had personal encounters with Jesus. A common thread in these experiences is His invitation to serve Him with fervor and love.
This Sunday’s Gospel echoes that invitation, reminding us that it is extended to all—not just priests, religious, and bishops. We are called to be moved with compassion when we see the needs of the world. “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest.”
Will we heed Jesus’ invitation to serve those in need, especially those who feel “troubled” and “abandoned”? For those called to a devoted life of service as deacons, priests, or religious, will you say “yes” to His call?
Perhaps you know someone who possesses the qualities to become a good priest. Would you encourage that person to contemplate and pray about this calling?
Our parishes are in desperate need of more priests. This issue will become increasingly pressing in the coming years. For example, this year, the archbishop ordained only three priests for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles—a number that is insufficient, given the increasing number of priests retiring or preparing to retire.
Let’s continue to pray for vocations and inspire young people to consider this noble calling. Let us pray that Catholic families generously offer their sons to the Church, encouraging them to follow the path of priesthood!
With much love,
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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