# Seeking God, Finding God: A Lenten Reflection on Service
*2009-03-09*

> Bill Young reflects on recent family losses, shares a meditation on Christ’s call to serve, and invites listeners to consider their own vocation of service during the second week of Lent.

## Personal Losses and Prayers

I attended the funeral of Marilyn Gonzalez yesterday. Her family was devastated; she was a devoted mother of two, a loving wife, and a cherished daughter. While we take comfort in knowing she is now with God, the pain for those still on earth remains real. Please pray for the González family that God grant them strength and courage to endure this loss.

I also want to remember my own experience of losing my mother at age 17—a loss that still{unclear} me at                                                                                         . I shared this with Marilyn’s 17‑year‑old daughter to offer some comfort.

My father, William Robert Young Sr., remarried after my mother’s death and passed away in 2001. His second wife, who lived in Canada, suffered a stroke last weekend and died today. Please pray for Anne Young’s soul and for my father’s eternal rest alongside her.

## Scripture and the Call to Serve

Today's meditation comes from Matthew 20:28: “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Bishop Kenneth Kearney, when he celebrated his first Mass as bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, declared, “My name is Ken, and I will be your servant.” Though many of his words have been forgotten, that simple statement of service remains his lasting legacy.

## Every Vocation Is a Call to Service

My youngest daughter once worked as a waitress in a five‑star restaurant while studying acting. She told me she didn’t pursue acting for fame but to bring joy to others. Whether in a restaurant, a classroom, or any profession, true vocation is rooted in service, just as Christ’s ministry was.

When a vocation no longer allows us to serve, it may be time to discern a new path that brings fulfillment and joy.

## Lenten Practice: Discern Your Primary Vocation

Take a moment today to ask yourself: What is my primary vocation? Is it my career, parenting, or another role? Whom am I serving? Throughout the day, whenever you do something for another person, pause and reflect on how that act aligns with Christ’s call to serve.

*Lent invites us to rediscover our vocation as a service to God and neighbor, following Christ’s example.*