In God’s plan of salvation, we each play a role. Whether quietly ministering to our corner of the world, or gaining some degree of fame through skill or office, we’re invited to do our small part to carry forward His vision. In Catholicism, we traditionally consider this to be vocation. Every vocation is one of service and holiness; what changes is the recipients of our good actions. In marriage, spouses minister to each other and their families, calling both on to holiness. In priestly and religious life, the recipients of ministry is the Church herself.

Yesterday we celebrated the 40th jubilee of the priest who married Alison and I. For one hour, thirteen years ago, this priest celebrated our wedding and now our home is full of children striving for holiness. And that was just one hour of his priesthood.

Moments like this lay bare the effect of good works and good action. In one small moment, one yes can reverberate throughout time and space causing more goodness, more light, more holiness. This is the power of yes and the power of vocation, like a ripple in a lake, growing bigger and spreading far beyond just the first action. Though we may not always see it, or even know its effects, we always accomplish greater things when we say yes to God and to our vocation.