The
different paths of Christian life, in marriage, in
doing life’s ordinary jobs, as well as the life of
the local community and political life are all ways
in which men and women try to be faithful to Christ;
each of them should be seen as ways in which people
try to answer God’s call.
Jesus called the disciples
to follow him. He calls everyone to believe in him
and enter into his Kingdom. Following Christ means
trying to be like him, and shaping our attitudes,
habits and ways of thinking, speaking and action
so that Jesus Christ may be glorified in all that
we are and do. We are all called to be saints, that
is, people who are wholly people of God, and who
can love others like Jesus himself. This is how we
believe we will find true joy in life, and a life
that death cannot take from us.
Vocation can be understood
in general terms like these. But the word is often
used in the special sense of a vocation to the priesthood,
to monastic or religious life, or to some other particular
role in the life of the Church. Jesus not only called
his disciples to follow him, but he also gave them
a mission, to preach the Gospel in his name.
This is a particular call
God makes to men and women to serve him. Individuals
‘hear’ this call in different ways, and not normally
as a result of any great vision or revelation! God
speaks with a ‘still, small voice of calm’. Perhaps
phrases like ‘tune into’ or ‘pick out’ would be more
accurate for most of us. For we have to listen carefully
to the Holy Spirit in the depth of our heart, against
a background of a lot of other noise and disturbance.
There are often two indicators
that can be made out. One is negative: a fundamental
dissatisfaction with a person’s present life and
activities. Not because they are bad, but they are
not their true work, however lucrative or highly
esteemed by others. The other is positive: a definite
desire to follow Jesus and do his will, even though
it may be unclear for the time being what he wants
them to do.
We will almost certainly
feel hesitant, because we will be unsure what is
going on. And we will soon see that we cannot answer
the call with our own resources. God is at work,
and we are utterly inadequate without his help and
encouragement. But that is where the Holy Spirit
comes in. He helps us answer God’s call. If we want
to respond, we must ask for the help of the Holy
Spirit. Jesus is always with us too, and he will
help us through the sacraments as well as through
other people.
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