World Day of Prayer for Vocations; how have you answered God's call?
by Sister Laura Zelten
In his May 3 address, Pope Francis says, “The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a 'cage' or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon of a greater sea and an abundant catch.” I really like the images of our eyes looking to the horizon of a greater sea.
In this time of uncertainty can we look to the horizon and trust God to show us the way. Our local bishop, the Most Rev. David Ricken, has asked us to look to the horizon and search our hearts to know God’s call. He wants our Diocese to continue the great work it has done by calling young people to open their hearts to the possibility of a call to priesthood and the consecrated life.
In baptism, each of us is called, each of us receives a vocation. Vocation means a call. The Second Vatican Council reminded us that each of us is called to holiness, each of us is invited to respond by loving and serving God and other people. We live out this call through single or married life as well as religious life -- priest, sister or brother. No call is better than another. Each lifestyle is unique and is essential to who we are as Church.
As we have more time to discern God’s call in this era of social distancing, here are some thoughts to ponder:
- Each one of us has Christian vocation. "Your vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need." (Fredrick Buechner). Marriage, priesthood, consecrated life, and the single life are all choices you have in living out your Christian vocation.
- "Discernment" means discovering God’s call in my life. Which path to holiness are you called to? How do you discover that path?
- What’s the most important thing for you to do with your life?
- What’s the one thing that will give your life meaning and purpose?
- What’s the one thing worth sacrificing everything else for?
Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. " The most important task in life is to learn to love. That is what your Christian vocation is all about.