http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031914.cfm
Lent is, among many other things, a
season of giving up unnecessary things to become acutely aware of the presence
of God in our lives. Lent, for
college students, also falls during the time applying to, interviewing for, and
choosing between potential internship and career opportunities. The stress and difficulty of the job
search process cannot be overstated, and, from my personal experience, I have
found that it is easy to fall into the habit of applying to internships with
only money and future success in mind.
One of my professors defined discernment as finding where personal talents, knowledge, and skills meet the world’s needs. Since our talents, knowledge, and skills are gifts from God, and our being on this Earth, too, is a gift from God, it follows that God’s will should be the deciding factor in determining a potential career. This requires giving up control over what our plans may be to God, and allowing God to guide us to our true calling.
Today’s readings are about having faith and putting trust in God. When attempting to discern which internship or which career path is right, God should play a role. The Jesuit tradition calls us to use our God-given gifts to meet the needs of the world, but finding the best possible way to fulfill this mission is no easy feat. Discernment does not happen overnight. It takes thoughtful prayer over a long period of time. I want to spend this Lent in prayerful discernment, giving up my own ideas about success in order to become acutely aware of God’s presence in my life and of his plans for my future. I encourage you to do the same. AMDG.
Shannon Marcoux
FCRH 2016
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