Vocation

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, May 6th, 2022 Page 7 Journeying with the Word of God

The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare which means to call. God calls or invites you to a particular vocation. Your vocation is the way God invites you to love and give yourself to others. It is not simply the giving of your skills, services and expertise, but the giving of your whole self as a path to holiness.

Your vocation is an expression of who you are:

“Be who you are meant to be and you will set the whole world on fire”: this is a common paraphrase of the words of St Catherine of Siena. It’s tempting to think of your vocation as something you do. But St Catherine of Siena speaks of vocation in terms of being, not doing. Vocation is not simply something that you do but it is an authentic expression of who you are, of your very identity.

Every Catholic has 3 vocations

Every Catholic has a vocation. In fact, as a member of the Church, every Catholic participates

in the reality of “vocation” in three distinct but related senses: 1. Christian vocation

First, there is the common Christian vocation that comes in Baptism. Our fundamental vocation, or call, is to be holy – to become saints! This can be expressed in various ways, but in general terms, it means loving and serving God and neighbour and helping to carry on the mission of the Church. When people speak of “vocation,” they usually mean vocation in the second sense – state in life. Most Christians are called by God to the married state, and some are called to the state of single laypersons living in the world. But Jesus also chooses certain men to act in his Person through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments; they are called to be priests. Others are called to a ministry of service as permanent deacons. And still others, both women and men, are called to what is known as consecrated life – a way of life marked by the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience – whose most familiar expression is religious life.

3. Personal vocation

2. State in life vocation

Vocation also refers to a “state in life” or a way of being Christian – priesthood, consecrated life, marriage, and dedicated single life. States in life are the special, lifelong settings in which people live the baptismal vocation and their call to holiness. Finally, there is personal vocation. The personal vocation of each one of us takes shape in the unique combination of gift & talents, personal characteristics, relationships and life circumstances – including both our common Christian vocation and our state in life – that point to the special role God wants us to play in his redemptive plan.❖ [From https://www.vocationcentre.org.au/home/what-is-avocation/ & https://www.stpetersseminary.ca/Your-Vocation/ Priesthood/Vocation-Discernment/265 ] MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN Step 1: Look at today’s Readings prayerfully. 1st Reading: Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel to the Gentiles when the Jews reject the message of the resurrected Christ. 2nd Reading: John’s vision shows that many will share in Jesus’ glory in heaven after coming through times of persecution. Gospel: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will not allow anyone to steal any of the sheep in his care. The Father has put us in his care. Step 2: Applying the values of the Readings to your daily life. 1.Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd who knows and takes care of his sheep. In what way do we need a good shepherd to care for us even today? 2.Belief in Jesus calls for letting go of old habits and ways of living and demands a change in behaviour. What can tempt people to turn their backs on Jesus’ invitation to enter into relationship with him? 3.Jesus says that his sheep listen to his voice and follow him. How do we hear his voice? What has been your experience in your community of following him? 4.The challenge for us today is to experience the voice of our God promising his life-giving presence and love in the midst of our troubles, concerns and daily struggles. Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Word in your life of faith. The world today is in dire need of the Good Shepherd who can speak to people of their value as human beings and as children of God. As disciples, we are called to be shepherds to those who are in need, in ways that best suit our God-given gifts and talents. Step 4: Something to think & pray about 1.Each of us has an image of God. Today’s Gospel gives an image of God as a shepherd who will never allow his flock to come to harm. What is the image of God that you like best? Why do you prefer this image? 2.When you examine your values, the way you use your time, the kind of relationships you maintain, can you say you are changing any part of your life in response to Jesus’ invitation to follow him? ❖ [From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]