I have asked God many a question throughout my 30 years of life. Sometimes I know the answer in my heart yet don't have the courage to listen and follow it right away, (or sometimes by miracle of God's strength, I do...eventually!) Other times it's simply hard to hear the small, peaceful voice of God. One of the questions I have muddled over for many years now, is if people can be called to both married and family life, and to the poor. The term "Vocation" has been a kind of confusing one, as it can be interpreted as one's "Call" in life insofar as how God invites and orchestrates you to use your gifts for His Kingdom in the sense of your life's work. Other theologians use it to describe the path you choose in regard to married or single consecrated life. So, when discerning and deciding one's path in life, it can be hard to know which one to discern first in discovering your vocation.
So, I sent a letter to the founder of L'Arche, Jean Vanier, seeking his wisdom on the matter. He is someone I admire, who radiates with God's love and Spirit. In 1964, he welcomed two men with disabilities to come live in his home in Trosly, France. From there, others throughout the world took upon this model to create homes where people with and "without" disabilities would live together to create Community; homes of mutuality, built on Faith, and rooted in love and relationship. These communities seek to be a sign of hope in our divided world.
In my letter, I decided I would take all my questions, and form them into one, which was if he would share his wisdom on whether he thought people could be called to both marriage, and to the poor.
On June 9th, I opened my mail box to find an envelope with very quaint writing on it, with a stamp that said "LA POSTE FRANCE". I thought....huh? France, who do I know in France?........And I gasped in the elevator with another girl who thought I was having some sort of allergic reaction..."Jean wrote me back!!!" And as soon as I stepped out of the elevator I squealed until I read the whole thing like 10 times, trying to decode Jean's little writing! Jean is like a living Saint, and I'm so thankful that he took the time to write and share his Godly wisdom with me!
His response:
L'Arche. 3 June '11.
Peace to you Sara
and thank you for your card
What advice can I give you?
Love Jesus
take time with Him
He loves you and is guiding you
be with the poor and the broken
those who are lonely
and have been humiliated
Jesus will show you what he wants
if you meet a man
who loves you + Jesus + the poor.
So wait in hope
and give thanks.
I pray with you + for you
Peace and love to you
in Jesus.
So, I sent a letter to the founder of L'Arche, Jean Vanier, seeking his wisdom on the matter. He is someone I admire, who radiates with God's love and Spirit. In 1964, he welcomed two men with disabilities to come live in his home in Trosly, France. From there, others throughout the world took upon this model to create homes where people with and "without" disabilities would live together to create Community; homes of mutuality, built on Faith, and rooted in love and relationship. These communities seek to be a sign of hope in our divided world.
In my letter, I decided I would take all my questions, and form them into one, which was if he would share his wisdom on whether he thought people could be called to both marriage, and to the poor.
On June 9th, I opened my mail box to find an envelope with very quaint writing on it, with a stamp that said "LA POSTE FRANCE". I thought....huh? France, who do I know in France?........And I gasped in the elevator with another girl who thought I was having some sort of allergic reaction..."Jean wrote me back!!!" And as soon as I stepped out of the elevator I squealed until I read the whole thing like 10 times, trying to decode Jean's little writing! Jean is like a living Saint, and I'm so thankful that he took the time to write and share his Godly wisdom with me!
His response:
L'Arche. 3 June '11.
Peace to you Sara
and thank you for your card
What advice can I give you?
Love Jesus
take time with Him
He loves you and is guiding you
be with the poor and the broken
those who are lonely
and have been humiliated
Jesus will show you what he wants
if you meet a man
who loves you + Jesus + the poor.
So wait in hope
and give thanks.
I pray with you + for you
Peace and love to you
in Jesus.
I wanted to share this letter with who ever wanted to read it, because it was so beautiful and touching and full of God's simple and peaceful wisdom.
One notion that really stood out to me, which I haven't really employed in my life is that of "Waiting in Hope"! I claim to be a faithful Christian, trusting in God's plan, but when I wait, I certainly wouldn't say I wait in "HOPE". I have faith, but then seem to often wait in despair and hopelessness. Faith should give us the gift of trust, and in turn hope! So, I have tried to wait more in hope which I think is the true definition of Faith and trust, (though difficult to do!)
Thanks for allowing me to share my excitement over this correspondence with Jean Vanier, and I hope that his wisdom can touch your life in some way too!
Sara
One notion that really stood out to me, which I haven't really employed in my life is that of "Waiting in Hope"! I claim to be a faithful Christian, trusting in God's plan, but when I wait, I certainly wouldn't say I wait in "HOPE". I have faith, but then seem to often wait in despair and hopelessness. Faith should give us the gift of trust, and in turn hope! So, I have tried to wait more in hope which I think is the true definition of Faith and trust, (though difficult to do!)
Thanks for allowing me to share my excitement over this correspondence with Jean Vanier, and I hope that his wisdom can touch your life in some way too!
Sara
(PS- In the above photo, Jean is the tall man on the left with white hair. AKA: Not Mother Teresa.)
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