Yesterday was World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Late again, but hopefully you said a prayer for me anyway! What is vocation? It comes from the Latin to call. It's not just the vocation to the priesthood - we all have a one!
Last night, I got to tell my story for the umpteenth time. It's funny, I don't get tired of repeating. Not just because I get to talk about myself - finding happiness and fulfillment is what's most important to everyone.
Two fellow seminarians and I went to dinner with a wonderful couple from Idaho. Before the appetizers reached the table, Br. James was well along in recounting his vocation story, and Br. Andrew didn't stop until we had finished our pasta. His was already cold.
Two fellow seminarians and I went to dinner with a wonderful couple from Idaho. Before the appetizers reached the table, Br. James was well along in recounting his vocation story, and Br. Andrew didn't stop until we had finished our pasta. His was already cold.
Then it was my turn! Just that morning, I was thinking about what a vocation really is. But wait a second, let's back up a bit...
What's World Day of Prayer for Vocations?
It's a special day set aside by the pope to pray for vocations to the priesthood, like Christ's asks in the Gospel but also for all vocations in general. Here are some great quotes from Benedict:
[L]ove is limitless and precedes us, sustains us and calls us along the path of life, a love rooted in an absolutely free gift of God. Speaking particularly of the ministerial priesthood, my predecessor, Blessed John Paul II, stated that “every ministerial action - while it leads to loving and serving the Church - provides an incentive to grow in ever greater love and service of Jesus Christ the head, shepherd and spouse of the Church, a love which is always a response to the free and unsolicited love of God in Christ”.
Every specific vocation is in fact born of the initiative of God; it is a gift of the Love of God! He is the One who takes the “first step”, and not because he has found something good in us, but because of the presence of his own love “poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:5).We need to open our lives to this love. It is to the perfection of the Father’s love (cf. Mt 5:48) that Jesus Christ calls us every day! The high standard of the Christian life consists in loving “as” God loves; with a love that is shown in the total, faithful and fruitful gift of self.
What do we mean by vocation?
We were all made to leave our mark. We're called to be happy. We're called to know God and help others. So what's your story? Here are a couple you will enjoy. Br. Andrew's is actually one of them.
What's my vocation?
Back to my thoughts at dinner last night. That morning, I read the Gospel of the Good Shepherd. I found the vocation had three important parts.
1. The sheep know his voice.
If we want to respond to any vocation, we have to be able to hear the call. Silence is a must in today's clamor. Here are some thoughts on our need for silence: Silence: iNoise and the Battle for our Soul.
2. He call's us by name.
We each have a unique vocation, and we've got to listen carefully to figure it out. I reflected on that a couple weeks ago: What to do with our lives.
3. He leads us out.
It's a call that demands we leave the comfort zone of the sheepfold, that we go out into the world fighting for Christ and spreading his love to those around us. So how do we really love? What is love? Two easy steps.
What's your story? Comment or email me. Share the post, and I pray that you figure out God's plan for your happiness and fulfillment - vocation.
1. The sheep know his voice.
If we want to respond to any vocation, we have to be able to hear the call. Silence is a must in today's clamor. Here are some thoughts on our need for silence: Silence: iNoise and the Battle for our Soul.
2. He call's us by name.
We each have a unique vocation, and we've got to listen carefully to figure it out. I reflected on that a couple weeks ago: What to do with our lives.
3. He leads us out.
It's a call that demands we leave the comfort zone of the sheepfold, that we go out into the world fighting for Christ and spreading his love to those around us. So how do we really love? What is love? Two easy steps.
What's your story? Comment or email me. Share the post, and I pray that you figure out God's plan for your happiness and fulfillment - vocation.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful video, you did. You made the step to the priesthood, you enjoy what you do, all the priest I know are always very busy. They don't have time for anything the anly one they do is help athers. However, they are always happy to do all the do.
Now, I have to make the next step to follow Jesus. To the next life. In this second opportunity he give me. I met you and many grat people from all over the world.
Thank you all you for do this beautiful video and comments. Is very late here in America, but I still awake for this geat video.
God bless you all you.
Jose de Jesus Sandoval
Jose de Jesus,
DeleteThanks a lot for your comment and your encouragement. It is very exciting to be so close to ordination and soon I will be able to help others in a whole new way through the sacraments. Count on my prayers, and say one for me.
Br. Mark
Thanks for your sharing, God bless you in your vocation. Count on my prayers
ReplyDeletePatrick Vu, O.cist
Patrick, thanks for your prayers and support! Count on mine.
DeleteDear Br. Mark,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful summary defining the calling of a vocation. I keep you in prayer toward your ordination and thank you in advance for answering the call to a vocation in Christ so that you can bring Him to us.
My vocation has been that of a dedicated wife, mother of two boys, homeschooling mom to my son who will soon leave for college and caregiver to my elderly father. Each of these has taught me so much virtue, but not without difficulty. I pray that the Lord will direct me and strengthen me to continue to answer his call to new directions in my life to serve Him.
My son will be studying Engineering in the fall; he had many acceptance/merit offers at various private/public universities. I am so happy to share that his choice was an excellent Catholic college, Benedictine College. Please keep him in prayer to continue to be strong in Christ.
Many blessings!
Pat
Pat, thanks a lot for your example and prayer. Count on mine for your whole family and especially your son! Great choice of college! Send on my greetings and prayers. God bless.
DeleteBr. Mark