The call to ‘cross over to the other side’ (Mk 4:35-41). Like Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 15 who sang of God’s wonders after crossing the Red Sea; Like Anna in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 who rejoiced at the birth of Samuel; Like Zachariah who broke his silence to proclaim the greatness of the Eternal One when John was born; Like Mary in her canticle of joy after the angel’s announcement and her unconditional YES, and with so many others who recognise God’s blessings in their lives, we too have gathered at the end of Vocational Month to recognise God’s blessings.
Similarly, on the verge of perishing with the whole team in the boat because of the storm, Jesus sleeps. This is a symbol of absolute trust, because he is not afraid to cross over to the other side. The attitude of the apostles after the storm subsided remains a taboo and prevents them from opening themselves to new things. They still hesitate to take the step of faith. Fear, resistance and attachment to familiar securities remain within them.
Saint Jeanne-Antide and Saint Vincent de Paul invite us to root ourselves in God and draw strength from him to ‘overcome storms, defuse fears and, with courage, carry the mission to new shores, where HE is already waiting for us.’
The reflection led by Father Hugo R. Sosa, cm, during the harvest of fruits invites us to cross over to the other side with the apostles by taking one more step, to let newness enter our hearts following the example of Saint Jeanne-Antide in unwavering trust in ‘God Alone’ who guides every step of her journey.
‘This total abandonment to God did not close her in on herself.
On the contrary, it made her free to say “yes” with generosity wherever the mission called her.’
In light of this clarification, three questions helped us to relive the wonders of the vocational month with a new enthusiasm for opening ourselves to the new proposed by the Lord:
1. Have we set aside our fears to cross over to the other side and offer moments of encounter and prayer with young people?
2. How has the Lord surprised us?
3. What concrete innovative actions can we propose to live with young people?
The answers that were shared in the chat express from the bottom of each participant’s heart immense gratitude, a great desire and openness to this newness that the Lord brings, for an ‘ever more’ in our service to young people.
Following Mary’s example, like her and with her, our Magnificat rose like incense to the Most High.
8 June 2025
Youth and Vocational Ministry Laboratory
