Vocations And Preparing The Soul!
I recently participated in the 40th running of the One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon. It is organized during the month of May in Indianapolis as part of the 500 Race Festivities. Over 30,000 people lined up in their designated corrals very early on this cool May morning with a chance of rain looming. I wondered....what motivates people? There is a substantial fee to enter the race, a commitment to training, and a tremendous amount of coordinating logistics by organizers and participants. It seemed like a healthy and fun thing to do with my adult kids on a Saturday morning before Mother’s Day. But as I approached mile 6, with 7.1 miles to go, I was wondering again... what motivates people, and why?
I observed from all the specially designed t-shirts being worn that day, and the conversations all around me that every one of these 30,000 people had a different reason to be walking or running in this event. I registered and joined an organized group who had a specific purpose.... RaceForVocations.org. The words on the back of my shirt prompted a lot of conversation during the day. “Vocation...everyone has one. What’s yours?... Priesthood, sacred single life, marriage, consecrated life.” Promoting vocation awareness motivates me. The Mass celebrated for the participants of this group the night before the race certainly provided the necessary strength for this grueling Saturday morning activity.
I believe people become involved in different issues, activities and groups to the degree that their personal needs and interests are met. We go to great lengths to get involved with things that appeal to us. Is it achievement and recognition that motivates people? We must acknowledge that people's interests go beyond "selfish" motives. We all want the things we do to benefit our families, businesses, and lifestyles, while serving and influencing the community of people around us. But how do we get people to serve? According to Jesus it is really important. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). How do you prepare for the important things that are motivators in your life?
A “spiritual check up” is as vital to our wellbeing as the appointments we schedule to prevent physical health issues. Mind, body and soul must all be nourished equally. Prayer and contemplation can open the doors to our souls and help us discern where God is calling us to serve. Just like runners who train and nourish their bodies for the best performance in a race, our souls hunger to be fed, as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. Renewing your spirit is an ongoing commitment. Thomas Merton once said, “Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.”
I could never have completed the marathon without the encouragement of the people along the race route that day. They used their gifts to entertain us with energetic music; some were evangelizing to remind us of God’s love; and others passed out water for hydration. They were volunteers who felt called to serve, and I am so grateful they did. The service and kindness of these people reminded me of what takes place at Holy Mass. People using their talents with music, and a priest providing us with spiritual nourishment as we all encourage one another to be prepared for the coming of the Lord! The race continues! Amen!
