There’s a right time to give all to God

by Letters Editor · March 4, 2010

From Tracey Miller, Port Elizabeth:

It was with mixed emotions that I read Henry Makori�s February 17-23 column regarding his friend�s pain in the Church.

There are times in our lives when we are so close to God that we feel a need to give him all. But the reality may be that we are already married�or we�re a woman!

Maybe we say, as did St Augustine: �Not now Lord, not just yet.� It can be the same for priests. They may wonder why they cannot have both. God works in such mysterious ways, but if we remember that we are not in control, it makes the pain easier to bear.

We may never doubt that we will one day marry and start our own families, but when God calls, the doubts are innumerable. Parents want to see their children be successful, and vocations are not always discussed or explored in the family.

Pope Benedict said marriage and the joy of parenthood is beautiful, yet how difficult it can be. Ask friends and family who in the wake of a divorce are left picking up the pieces of our brokenness and helping with the healing process.

How can we doubt the Church�s teaching that priests remain celibate? A vocation is lived every minute of every day, be it priesthood or marriage, dedicated to those we love. Our God-given flock can be in the sacrament of Holy Orders, or the children with whom he blesses us in marriage. Both vocations are difficult enough on their own, without taking on the trials of the other.

I watched my father die a little every day for five months, before he succumbed to cancer. My mother tended and cared for him �every minute of every day�. And so our priests will care for God�s sheep till the very end.