Each of us have a unique Vocation, for the men, it may be to become a religious or priest, a husband and father, or consecrated single. This is For the ladies, it may be to become a religious or wife and mother or consecrated single. Here is some advice from Fr. Mike Schmitz in Discerning your vocation.
Family Feature Friday: Inside Out
Inside Out (rated G, 94 min) is a movie that deals with the question of why sadness and suffering exists in the world. It is perfect for children, but it also can be impactful for teenagers as well. The movie is the perfect conversation starter to talking about why God allows suffering in the world. Of course, the one thing this movie leaves out is the hope in Christ, but that is what the discussion questions are for.
1) In the beginning of the movie, no one likes Sadness, What makes Joy learn to accept her in the end?
2) What good came from Sadness? What bad happened when Sadness was suppressed? Answer: be sure to bring up that the suppression of sadness led to the hardening of the heart. A lot of times we try to run away from negative emotions, but this is unhealthy. Sometimes we think that hardening our hearts will protect us from hurt, but it just takes us further away from humanity. Our emotions are a large part of us being made in the image of God, because without them, we wouldn't be able to accept and give love. It is always better and cathartic to accept and deal with negative emotions.
3) Rhetorical: Are there times where you wish you could get rid of your emotions? Do you sometimes feel like you are trapped?
4) Reflect on the following passage: Romans 5:1-5: "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us."
5) It may seem hard to rejoice in your sufferings when they happen. But time heals. Are there sad times in the past that you appreciate now for forming you into who you are today? (More for parents to answer and share with their kids)
6) What good can come from suffering? Why can we always have hope?
Isaiah 43: 2 "When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you".