A monthly letter from the Glenmary Vocation Office

September 2008

Coping with Disappointment

How does one cope with disappointment? I have certainly had many opportunities this spring and summer to reflect on this. In April, Glenmary’s Vocation Department was expecting 10 or more new students in the prenovitiate program, but because of many factors we begin the class of 08-09 with just two. This is comparable to Iowa farmers  who expecting a big crop this spring only to lose most of it in recent flooding!flood? Or the people traveling to Marian Days, a gathering of Vietnamese Catholics in Missouri, to pray and celebrate their faith only to lose their life in a tragic accident?

Sometimes, perspective helps us cope with disappointment. In reality, as long as we have breath we have choices. Those choices may not always be what we wanted, but we still can live, breath and choose. We begin again faced with the reality that is before us. That is all we can do.

Jesus at the time of his greatest sorrow prays Psalm 22 which begins, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” But the psalm also includes words of hope, “For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of the poor wretch, did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.” vs. 25. “The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.” (vs. 32) Jesus’ trust in his heavenly Father is validated in his resurrection. There is always new life waiting.

Some days I wonder how Glenmary Home Missioners will continue our work in the future? Who will care for those living in rural America? Who will introduce the many people living in areas without a Catholic Church to the graces of the sacraments? Who will be a voice for the poor and marginalized? Then, I remember, GOD WILL. “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20b)

I remember that God loves Glenmary more than I. God loves the folks of the home missioners more than I. God is here. “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?” (Mt 6:30) Or as John writes, “ In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

So disappointments come and go. They are just a part of the river of life. Sometimes they are a result of my actions or lack of actions. Other times, they are the result of others breaking promises or being deceitful. Yet, sometimes, the disappointment seems so large and there is no place to point fault. The last case is like the big picnic planned with months of preparations and then the thunderstorm arrives and it is cancelled. Certain times in life, our relationships feel like that as well. Nonetheless, our God is faithful and loving and forgiving.

If we turn to faith all disappointments can be overcome.

Won’t you join me in mission to help others whose faith is weak to re-discover or discover for the first time this truth? Your journey to help fulfill this mission can begin right now, today, wherever you are. Are you being called to embark on this journey? Remember, “The harvest is abundant but laborers are few,” (Mt 9:37).