Serra Club vocations essay: Priests and religious show Christ’s love through service
(Editor’s Note: Following is the first in a series featuring the winners of the 2006 Serra Club Vocations Essay Contest.)
By Josh Vander Missen
“How do priests, brothers and sisters in their service to others follow Jesus’ call to do as he did when he washed the feet of his disciples?”
It isn’t always easy as a “middle schooler” to love one another with cliques pressuring each student to cast out those who differ from the norm.
When Jesus visited with the lepers and sinners, he showed the crucial act of affection by receiving the abandoned. This is how I feel Jesus calls me to act today.
Despite the rush of daily life, there are still disciples who dedicate themselves to Christ. They devote their way of life to assisting the poor and dejected. One of these outstanding people is, in my opinion, Sister Margaret Banar.
Sister Margaret is a Little Sister of the Poor, and is an inspiration to me. Her vocation is caring for the ailing and elderly. When she dons her habit, she feels invigorated by God’s glory.
To me, she is an illustration of Christ, radiating her love to all she comes in contact with.
When I spoke with Sister Margaret, she talked with me about how it felt to “be” Jesus for others.
“I see the love of Jesus on the smiling faces of those I care for,” Sister Margaret said.
When she delivers food to the residents, she feels the elation of serving others.
This is just one example of how a religious sister is assisting her family in Christ.
Nine years ago, at St. Vincent Hospital, my little sister, Tianna, was near death from a sepsis infection. Our pastor, Father Clem Davis, came to visit with Tianna.
His blessing brought Tianna peace and tranquility. With God’s mercy and her surgeons’ expertise, my sister is still living today.
Finally, Mother Teresa of Calcutta is one of the holiest people I have ever studied. At the age of 12, she felt strongly called to serve God. Soon she desired to start her own convent in Calcutta.
She faithfully served the sick and poor until her death. Even today, the sisters still care for the diseased following Mother Teresa’s example.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Father Clem Davis and Sister Margaret are all virtuous leaders for Jesus. These beacons radiate the light of Christ into the world.
The streets of Galilee were covered with filth and the lowest of the servants were assigned the wretched duty of cleaning dirty feet.
When Jesus washed his Apostles’ feet, he illustrated to us the way we should live our life.
We need to be taught that we shouldn’t put ourselves on pedestals above others. Instead, we are called to accept everyone for who they are.
The sick and dying are humans, too; they need our love. Priests, brothers and sisters carry out God’s mission of human equality today, but they shouldn’t be alone in their works.
Their efforts inspire me to be a leader within my community. As I grow into an adult, I will continue to serve by their example.
Jesus encourages us as Catholics to use our vocations to unify us as one.
(Josh Vander Missen is the son of Mike and Michelle Vander Missen of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis. He just completed the seventh grade at St. Monica School and is the seventh-grade division winner in the 2006 Serra Club Vocation Essay Contest.) †