ON GOOD GROUND . . .

April 2008

by Monsignor Douglas L. Grams

Vocations

If you grew up on a farm or enjoy fishing as a hobby, it is probably easier for you to understand Gospel language and images. This level of understanding is rarer today because we have fewer parishioners in the pew who actually work the land. And although the number of people who fish may abound, not many in our area fish for a living.

I would like to indicate why I chose "On Good Ground" as the title for my column. Our diocesan paper, The Prairie Catholic, is a primary vehicle of communication with every household in the Diocese of New Ulm. Our diocese has the distinction of being the most rural diocese in the nation with "no major urban centers," and it is the "good ground" where the seed of faith is planted and nurtured.

As we approach the fourth Sunday of Easter, traditionally "Good Shepherd Sunday," we also celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We are reminded of the need to cultivate vocations across our diocese.

Throughout the fifteen counties of this local Church, farmers will soon prepare the soil for planting. Although there are fewer farmers working the soil, all of us can relate with anticipation to the ground being turned over and prepared to receive the seed. In a similar way, we are the good ground ready to receive the seed that will bear good fruit.

We have just completed the season of Lent – a time to remove the rocks and weeds from the fields of our hearts. Area Faith Communities have opened their hearts to Jesus through the preaching of the Mission. As stewards of the earth and of all good gifts, we are called to water and nurture the seeds of faith that were planted.

In his message on this forty-fifth anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that "only in a spiritual soil that is well cultivated can vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life take place. In fact, the Christian communities, which live the missionary dimension of the Church in a profound way, will never be inward looking."

We thank God for the priests who baptized us, celebrated the sacraments of first reconciliation and first holy Communion, witnessed our marriages, anointed our sick, celebrated funerals for our loved ones; as well as for the religious sisters and brothers who prepared us to receive the sacraments and to make important life decisions. We pray that the Lord of the Harvest will continue to send laborers into his fields and we give thanks for the loving people who nurture the seeds of faith in the good ground of this particular Church.