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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