For Priestly Vocations!

It seems that the readings for this week at Mass have a vocation point of view. Jesus gave the disciples instructions on what they are to do as they visit the towns he was intending to visit. Today, it was recommended that the prayers for the Mass be for Priestly Vocations. I love the opening prayer because it acknowledges that the Father, in His plan for salvation, provide shepherds for the people. It goes on to ask that God raise up worthy ministers for the altars and that they be gentle servants of the Gospel. That is what our Lord is asking the disciples to do in Matthew's gospel (10:7-15). Proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand, cure the sick, and bring peace to all people. This is the message that we are called to proclaim in our present day. We pray that God will send laborers, priests and religious, to work in the harvest fields. We also pray for ourselves as disciples that we will fulfill the mission of the church that has been entrusted to us.