Are You Saying Yes to God's Call?

Sherry Hayes-Peirce ponders whether she is using her gifts in selfish ways or as a response to God's call.

I love that for the month of May our Church invites us to reflect on the “Yes” of our Blessed Mother and it coincides with celebrations of our earthly moms on Mother’s Day! As most of you know this is my third year celebrating this holiday as a stepmother who became a “Nonna” without the stretch marks or labor. That is a grace from God from marrying my husband too.

This year many of my friends were grieving the loss of their moms on Mother’s Day, making me especially grateful to celebrate with my Mommy this year. Each year finding the perfect card is a challenge because our relationship is complicated. Many years ago when we were arguing about something, she said, “You came through me and you didn’t come with a manual, so I am praying to do the best I can.”

Am I praying to the Lord about when to say “Yes” like Mary? So often it is difficult to do things that we can’t imagine are possible. Think about Mary, some thing that looks like an angel tells you are pregnant with the Son of God and her response is “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Her faith was so strong, she intuitively knew it was God. I think I would have been pretty skeptical about this visit—and super scared!

Mary’s life shows that God accomplishes great deeds through those who are the most humble. (Pope Francis)

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For me, there have been so many times when my faith has been weak and I questioned God. There are so many days on my grief journey where I scream “No, this is not what I deserve!" The Lord has given me many gifts, so this month my reflection is focused on are they used as a “Yes” to God’s call or to my own selfish desires.

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Am I praying to the Lord about when to say “Yes” like Mary? #catholicmom

In today’s world where faith is being tested, mocked and minimized in popular culture, what is God inviting you to do that you are saying “No” to? There are a lot of things that we may feel like we are not talented enough, holy enough or you fill in the blank, precluding us from saying “Yes” to God’s call.

The beautiful hymn “Hear I Am, Lord” outlines how we can be called and how we answer that call. Sometimes the call is for something simple, other times something arduous. Our parish has a ministry that makes “Hope Bags” to give to the homeless. There are many holy hands that help to create the bags, and when we share the bags with someone in need, we are the hands of Christ helping the needy.

During the early months of the pandemic, people who sew heard God calling them to make masks. Health care providers heard God calling them to put their lives in danger every day to care for the infected. Everyone is called to pray for the sick and for an end to the pandemic.

Do not be satisfied with small things, because God wants great things. (St. Catherine of Siena)

I know for sure that my mother is a “prayer warrior,” and she often challenges me to be clear on what God is calling me to do and what I just want to do. My mother is the most humble person. She never wants to be acknowledged for the kind things that she does and she doesn’t want the spotlight on her ever! In fact, she hates to be put on social media or even have her picture taken. I didn’t get that gene!

In fact, my devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus helps me to be humble. My annual novena draws me to Mass every first Friday and when receiving the Eucharist at daily or Sunday Mass, my prayer is “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Your Heart.”

A friend of mine reminded me when I was struggling to say “yes” to something that felt overwhelming, God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. So reflect this month on what is God asking you to say “Yes” to and trust that He will equip you with what is needed for fulfilling His will for you.

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