To consecrate myself to God and to follow Christ unconditionally

Sister M. Karolyn's Reflection

"You, follow me" (John 21:22b). This passage from John's Gospel has been an invitation to me throughout my formation and especially as I prepare to make my first profession of vows. On August 15, I will consecrate myself to Christ through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. To be consecrated means to be set aside, dedicated, and only all for Jesus becoming His possession. This consecration is my response to His invitation. I am not to be set aside for the things of the world or just to do good works, but to be yoked to Him in spousal union so that my works are His works. I will be “crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). This union may mean that I go where I do not want to go or do what I do not wish to do, but through my yes, I choose it. I choose it with an act of my will because I want to go where He goes, to live and die with Him. I am called to choose it without my own conditions, which limit what the Lord can do with me and in me.

Christ Himself has lived this radical life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He has prepared the way, invited me to follow in His footsteps, and promised to sustain me with His grace. This is the only expectation that I am entitled to, that His “grace is sufficient for me.” I choose to live this life not for what I might gain, but for what I might lose. Not for anyone else but Him. It is a path with no room for excuses, justifications, “if’s, and’s, or but’s” nor energy to be wasted by looking around at others. It is the Lord and I on this road. He continually looks at me and says as he once said to Simon Peter, “You, follow me.”