My Cathedral

 Today's post was inspired by a quote belonging to Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận who was arrested and put in a concentration camp for 13 years. He came to realize that his cathedral was where he was and where God had placed him in that exact moment in the midst of terrible circumstances. He wrote:

"This light totally changed my way of thinking. When the Communist put me in the hold of the boat, the HAI-PHONG along with 1500 other prisoners and moved us to the north, I said to myself, "here is my cathedral, here are the people God has given me to care for, here is my mission: to ensure the presence of God among these, my despairing, miserable brothers. It is God’s will that I am here. I accept his will". And from that minute onwards, a new peace filled my heart and stayed with me for thirteen years." 

This quote  which I heard/read this week, got me reflecting about where life has taken me especially after my school plans fell through in the middle of my first semester. I felt lost and not sure what to do next. I prayed very hard and asked not only for peace in the midst of difficulty, but also for guidance. I had left the veterinary clinic where I had served for a little over 3 years in order to return to school. I remembered our hospital administrator coming out to give me a farewell hug and she told me that that clinic was always my home and that if things changed or didn't work out, I could always return. It was because she said this that I was so quick to reach back out to my supervisor to ask about returning. 

It's funny how when one door closes, sometimes God opens up an old familiar door. I remember talking to my husband and deciding that I would go back to the vets to work. I reached out and as soon as it was confirmed I could return to the team, I felt a huge sense of peace wash over me. It was such a surreal moment. People asked me how I felt about the choice to go back and I confidently told them that I know it was the right thing and that God has more for me to do there. I truly believe that God and St Francis of Assisi (my patron saint who's the saint associated with animals) was pulling me back for a deeper purpose. 

So I echo the quote above:  Here is my cathedral. 

There's truly something powerful about putting a job in the perspective of a vocation. In the Catholic Church, a vocation is a call from God to live a specific way of life. We might be quick to think instantly of priests, nuns and monks when we hear about vocations. However when we view the work we do each day as a vocation we have been placed in, this gives what we are doing a higher purpose. I think with returning to the vet, viewing it this way has been helpful and has aided me in seeing it as not just a job, but as being placed there for something more. I have the opportunity to be a light to those around me. I have the chance to get to speak life and good things into the lives of my coworkers. It is also a huge blessing to be able to connect with our clients and help them as well as their furry friends. I especially find deep meaning and being able to support our clients and their pets when it comes to end of life. That is the most important part of their journey together and it is an honor to help them through such a difficult thing. It has been my prayer to be able to be a light to those around me and to work each day with deep focus and a grateful attitude. I always spend time praying on my way to work , taking time to ask God's help and blessings over myself and the team I am a part of. I also ask that we would be able to help a lot of people and their pets to the best of our ability no matter how hard it may be. 

I am grateful for my cathedral. I am grateful for God bringing me back to the veterinary clinic and I continue to trust Him to guide my steps.

Friends, may you be blessed in your cathedrals and where you have been placed to be a light and to serve those around you. 

 

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI