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God’s call and our response!

                   “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost? (Lk 9:25) This quotation was allegedly used by St. Ignatius to change St Francis Xavier’s life. As a result St Francis became the patron Saint of India and you know the rest of his life story. “Human beings are created to praise reverence and serve our lord and by doing this to save their souls”. (Sp. Ex. 23) You may wonder whether it is necessary to become religious in order to serve God. I say yes and no. If you become a religious you are free to serve God without any hindrance from having a family. Don’t misunderstand me here, as you know, to devote oneself to one’s own family is also another kind of a vocation.  So vocations could be anything, such as becoming a doctor, a teacher, an engineer and so on. You may have many questions as regards to your life. A few of them will remain a mystery but some of them you will be able to understand as you grow. I want you to think about your vocation. It is God who chooses us to do his will but he waits for our response and it is our choice to say yes or no. Now this is the time for you to decide and commit your life whole heartedly. What is your goal and why do you choose a particular vocation? What will happen if you achieve or don’t achieve? Do you want to experience God’s love in your life? If you say yes, then come and experience by becoming a religious. Now I’m going to give you some guideline as regards to the Jesuit way of life.

                   The Jesuit way of life should not be limited to observing rules and regulations; rather it’s a matter of growing in Love of the Lord and for his people. The rules are not to bind you but they are to enable you to serve the Lord with your whole heart. A Jesuit then is recognized by his behavior inside as well as out side of the society. His language, preaching and actions should represent the constitution of the Society of Jesus. He is involved in the ministry to which he is sent. The Jesuit is known as a companion of Jesus. Therefore he represents Jesus in all the possible way through his life in preaching, teaching and working. He is never satisfied with what he knows and does but ever discovers new ways to praise God by wearing the amour of Love and searching for the truth. He remains in constant touch with the love of God whether in good times or in bad times.

                   The Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, is chosen by God to lead his flock in a right direction. Therefore all professed Jesuits vow to serve the church through the Pope, wherever they are sent by him. A Jesuit is a man of discernment. Therefore, before he takes up any major decisions he prays and discerns.                 

                   All superiors are expected to have certain qualities like kindness, meekness, humility and so on, so that they can understand their subjects well and the society may function smoothly. The society requires learned persons to run colleges to provide better education. Scholastics are the future of the society. Therefore good professors, superiors, rectors are required to form scholastics. Studies must help the scholastic to become better persons. Persons who are able to respond adequately to the challenges of today through their words and deeds, keeping always in mind of the context to which they are sent. Such training and experience will make him a better person in serving the Lord and his people. A Jesuit carries out his whole hearted service through his profession of his religious vows, poverty, chastity and obedience.

                             Personally, what I like the most in the Society of Jesus is the freedom that is given to each member of the society to discern and actualize the dream of the Lord for him and for the world. You can take up any ministry that helps you and the people but that should be Lord’s dream for you and for the people through the society way of proceeding. You are expected to work without any reward. Your work must flow from the love of the lord and for his people. If you desire to fall in the love of the Lord and work for his people through the family of the Society of Jesus then you are most welcome.