Before I begin this post, you must understand that I have had this "rocky road" pun in mind for at least a week now. And it just so happened that the reading at the WYD departure Mass had to do with stones. We are rocks shaped by Christ, Father Kramer told us in his homily, "and our Lord sits with us patiently, working with us. Sometimes, things need to be chipped away --- a painful process that isn't always easy. But unlike rocks, we have a choice as to whether or not we wish to be molded into our Lord's vision. Jesus calls to us, but we are the ones who give the answer."
"Come, let me work with you," Jesus calls, in the words of Fr. Kramer. "Let me continue to work with you."
The Mass itself was beautiful, including Spanish, French, and Latin in the liturgy. But for me, the homily was especially touching. The call to submit to God's will and become everything He intends us to be is both touching and challenging.
I found myself reflecting on how to truly surrender myself to Jesus. This July, I went to Illinois for a camp called Catholic Heart Work Camp. For one week, we spent our time at Mass in the morning, doing volunteer work during the day, and attending the fun and inspirational programs in the evening. Sometimes these programs include skits, one of which was about Jesus "chipping away" the faults, fears and failures of a young woman. She complains that it's painful, too hard, and altogether impossible. I often feel this way; like it would just be easier and better if I just stayed the same. But Jesus has plans for me. He sees my potential, my talents, my value, even when I cannot. He also knows what pieces of me need to be chipped away if I intend to be a stone in the wall of His Church. I realize now how important it is to simply trust in God and let Him take care of things. It may be a "rocky road" (this is where the pun comes in!), but in the end, Christ's vision for me is bigger, better, and more beautiful than I could ever imagine.
Right after that realization, it was time for food. Nothing like an All-American BBQ to kick off our pilgrimage --- and the rest of my life. Because every day is a new beginning, and as we head for World Youth Day, I think I'm ready for a fresh start!
Monica Burke
"Come, let me work with you," Jesus calls, in the words of Fr. Kramer. "Let me continue to work with you."
The Mass itself was beautiful, including Spanish, French, and Latin in the liturgy. But for me, the homily was especially touching. The call to submit to God's will and become everything He intends us to be is both touching and challenging.
I found myself reflecting on how to truly surrender myself to Jesus. This July, I went to Illinois for a camp called Catholic Heart Work Camp. For one week, we spent our time at Mass in the morning, doing volunteer work during the day, and attending the fun and inspirational programs in the evening. Sometimes these programs include skits, one of which was about Jesus "chipping away" the faults, fears and failures of a young woman. She complains that it's painful, too hard, and altogether impossible. I often feel this way; like it would just be easier and better if I just stayed the same. But Jesus has plans for me. He sees my potential, my talents, my value, even when I cannot. He also knows what pieces of me need to be chipped away if I intend to be a stone in the wall of His Church. I realize now how important it is to simply trust in God and let Him take care of things. It may be a "rocky road" (this is where the pun comes in!), but in the end, Christ's vision for me is bigger, better, and more beautiful than I could ever imagine.
Right after that realization, it was time for food. Nothing like an All-American BBQ to kick off our pilgrimage --- and the rest of my life. Because every day is a new beginning, and as we head for World Youth Day, I think I'm ready for a fresh start!
Monica Burke
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