An article was recently published by the Huffington Post about an interview with a 23-and-a-half-year-old young woman named Jade Banks, who had discerned a vocation to become a Discalced Carmelite Nun. It is refreshing to see young women discerning the call to serve the Lord amidst all the chaos and distractions the world has to offer. She was raised in the Catholic faith and ‘nuns’ to her seemed like mythical creatures, like those found in movies like Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music.”
Ms. Banks did not always want to become a religious sister, but was inspired to enter religious life through attending a conference given by a young, vibrant Sister of Life who told the story of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. She was moved by the Saint’s perseverance and said that the part of the story that really sparked the flame of religious life in her heart was when, “All the men at the military ball one evening told Elizabeth’s mother: ‘We can’t marry her, look at her face...she is already taken.’” She realized being called to the life of virginity is for one reason and one reason alone, to console the Beloved Jesus, to be His spouse. To “lay down my life for my friends,” for my Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ continually inspires men and women throughout the ages to ‘Come and follow me.’ Ms. Banks ends her interview with these encouraging words.
Be not afraid to choose a radical and unworldly way to follow Jesus. The world we live in today teaches us to forget that we are “temporary travelers.” When we die, Jesus will not ask you what degree you got, how much experience you had, how many friends you had or how good your hair looked. He will ask: “Did you LOVE?” Ask yourself, “How can I best do that?” Not a worldly love, but a supernatural love. The last commandment Jesus left us was to LOVE one another, even our enemies. Take courage, and remember where you are weak, He is strong. With God ALL things are possible.
