A journey up the Mount of Carmel

A reflection on religious vocation by Sr Sarah Waterman O Carm

As we prepare to usher in Vocations Awareness Week, what comes to mind? To me, a deeper intimate relationship with the Father, Jesus Christ. St Augustine in his writings says, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

As I reflect on my life as a Religious Sister, I reminisce on the many joys and challenges that have come my way. But even in these scruples or thorns on roses, I am at peace with God, my Father.

I have journeyed on the Mount of Carmel, taking with me, the rough edges, the many stones that greet my feet, but I also embrace that coming down the mountain, a fast but smooth and happy run.

When we envision a mountain, usually going up is more difficult than coming down. Sometimes we would love to stay at the top of the mountain because the view is so serene and lovely, breathtaking.

And for that moment, we are lost in contemplation with God; and share in Elijah’s uttering voice “God in whose presence I stand”, we are away from the bustle and noise of the world.

But we were never meant to stay at the top of mountain. It was in going up the mountain that we built courage and endurance, perseverance, consistency, and spiritual awakening. It was the journey up the mountain that shaped us, we drew strength from God to endure the upward journey of the mountain.

But what beckoned our hearts to begin our upward climb to this mountain? Maybe it was the gift that awaited us at the top of the mountain. Once we reached the top, we feel a sense of relief, a sigh of finally, I have reached the top… but short-lived is that relief as we begin to descend the mountain to spread the joys of the mountaintop.

So it is with our vocation. God beckons us to come to Him to begin the mountaintop journey. He calls us away from the world to sit with Him and discover, the greater calling to serve His people.

What is God asking of us as parents, teachers, young people? God invites us to a deeper relationship with Him, to unveil the gifts and talents He would now magnify for us to be of service to others.

We are called into relationship with God not to stay within ourselves, but to spread that Word, to share the gift of ourselves with others, so that they too will experience the love of God.

How is this vocation fuelled, and kept ignited? I remember hearing a Religious Sister sharing her experience of keeping our vocation aflame and she referred to a fireplace, that for the fire to keep burning we need to keep putting firewood.

This firewood for me, is the Holy Mass, a voluntary relationship with God. If we do not have this relationship with God, we cannot be saved. Also, we are the bread broken for others as we step out the Church doors. That perfection finds its external in the love we have for others.

The success of every vocation depends on a deeply rooted prayer life.

I refer to St Augustine: we rest at the mountaintop because we rest in His presence, and as you begin your mountaintop journey to discovering your vocation, remember to “always begin by looking up” –‘Sursum corda’– Latin for “lift up your hearts”.

Let us lift up our hearts: we won’t begin with ourselves but with God (Foundress of the Corpus Christi Carmelites, Mother Mary of Blessed Sacrament).

Every journey must begin with God because He called us.

Photo by Kyle Johnson on Unsplash