..." Have you ever counted the cherry stones to see what you are going to be when you grow up? If you have I hope you didn't take the answer too seriously. Choosing one's way of life is far too important for that. If you remember the parable of the talents you will know that God expects us to make the most of our lives. and through them to serve Him. Some of you reading this will grow up and marry, and do all the many jobs that can be done—like being a doctor. for instance, or a teacher, or being a good wife and mother. And some of you will become priests and nuns and lay. brothers.
God s choice IATHEN as Catholics we talk about having a vocation, we usually mean that God has chosen us to work for Him in a very special way. We can't all have religious vocations, or the world would come to a dead stop, but those who do can be very thankful that they have been worthy of God's choice.
I expect that most of you reading this will be too young to really know what you want to do. After all. half the fun of growing up is being able to change your mind about these things as you go along. When I was a bit younger there were hundreds of things I wanted to be—I never guessed I would end up writing "Children's Corner ".
But amongst all the other possibilities, you should think to yourself. whether God wants you to work for Him in this special way. I don't think you need worry about how God will let you know; when the time comes you'll be very sure.
But there are lots of things you can do in the meanwhile. First of all you can talk to God and our Blessed Lady about it; ask them to help you to find out what His will is for you, and tell them you are ready to do whatever you are asked.
Ask a priest
THEN' you'll enjoy finding out about the work that the various religious orders do. We've been talking about some of them in this column recently, so that should help a bit. There are missionaries, teachers, nurses, and contemplalives who spend their lives in prayer and penance, and many more. If your school library can't help you with books, you can be sure that your parish priest will be able to. After all he should know all about being a priest !
But don't forget that whatever you eventually do, whether you become a Pope or a fisherman (St. Peter was both!) we are all part of Christ's family. And like an ordinary family we share in a special way in all the things that the others do, even though we all have our own particular place.
Say a prayer at Mass on Sunday. not only that you may follow God's Will for you in your life but that everyone else may do so, too. In that way even if you don't become a priest you will have a share in the priesthood of others.
Gabriel