My son the altar server

Nigel serving at mass - second from the right

Nigel joined the Altar Server’s Society late last year and has been having a fun time serving at Mass and making friends with his fellow servers. So far, his feedback has been positive, even though he has had to sometimes attend up to three Masses a week. This was previously unthinkable for him, and for us too.

On the recent Vocation Sunday, the priest spent a portion of his homily addressing the boys and recounting his own experiences as a young server. He looked at the boys and basically hinted that “some of you may become priests”. Nigel had this sheepish grin on his face - I’m not sure if it was in embarrassment, or fear.
My thoughts shifted to the future and what might lie ahead. Is this young boy on the path to priesthood? Or is this just a stage of his youth to teach him the virtues of spirituality, responsibility and teamwork? Or did God set him on this path with bigger things in store?

These two bible verses played in my mind: “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” and “Many are called, but few are chosen”. They confused and calmed me simultaneously. I’ve also heard, “If it is God’s will, you will not be able to do anything about it”. So basically the train is on the tracks and only He knows where they lead.

My prayer: Father, You know what’s best for all of us. We are here to serve You and Your church, so let us be open Your call. Help us to instill this same faith in our children, so their hearts may be open to Your promptings too - may we, as parents, be supportive and encouraging in their endeavors, and always trusting in the future.