By Father Ben Snyder
For The Catholic Messenger – Advent Week 4
When I was in major seminary, there must have been enough guys looking for “signs” of their vocation that it bugged the formation staff. I don’t remember when it was, but one of the spiritual directors basically said “what more do you need? You’re here aren’t you? This is your (5th, 6th, 7th) year of seminary. Stop looking for ‘signs!’” Sir, yes-sir, Father.
I get it though. I may or may not have looked for “signs” myself as I went through seminary. Okay, I confess I did sometimes…
It is natural to our human nature. We like certainty. We like plans. We like to know everything we are doing between now and next Christmas. The problem enters in when we say our prayers, go to adoration, go to Mass, or make a good confession and all of a sudden a little teeny voice comes booming in. “[insert your name here]…I want you to do X.”
Is that really God talking? Is it my own thoughts? Is it my own desires? What is this? I need a sign. “God, if it’s really you asking me to do X, then I need to find $20, stuck to a piece of gum on the sidewalk, under an oak tree, on the Monday after a full moon next October.” And God sighs.
God is always speaking to us and often in ways we don’t expect. It is our job to listen and respond. But we aren’t good at that. When Ahaz is offered a sign, he still says “nope” and won’t accept a sign from God when offered. The prophet Isaiah loses it and professes the future birth of Christ who will save all people for all times of their sins as the ultimate sign.
“But Father, but Father, I just don’t trust God enough. I’m like Ahaz.” Glad you bring it up, because in Advent we have the perfect model for that. Look no further than St. Joseph. St. Joseph doesn’t get enough credit this time of year. Right off the bat, he is called a “righteous man.” You know who else gets called a righteous man? Abraham…and that’s after a long hard journey of faith filled with moments of imperfect trust in God, followed by some really ridiculous moments of complete lack of trust in God. Ultimately, after years, he is finally able to make a complete act of faith in God and is called “righteous” for it.
So St. Joseph is a righteous man like Abraham and the big names of the Old Testament. God via the angel calls in a dream, “Hey Joseph, I need you do this for me. I need you to take Mary into your home. Don’t worry, the baby is special. You got this.” What does St. Joseph do? He gets up and does it! No questions asked.
Maybe God is knocking and asking you to forgive someone you haven’t spoken to in years. Maybe God is asking you to discern marriage, religious life, or priesthood. Maybe God is inviting you to have another child or two and to be open to His plan for your marriage and family. Maybe God is prodding you to give of your time in some new way at the church or volunteer. Maybe God is encouraging you to make a life change that makes you more present to others.
Sure, life is scary. We are on our journeys of faith. We want the security that comes from knowing every step. But if we knew that, where would faith, trust, and love of God come into play?
(Father Ben Snyder is parochial administrator at Holy Family Parish-Riverside.)
