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Vocations
by Chris Fagan, Pastoral Intern
There is a lot of talk these days about
vocations. (There is also a lot of talk about vacations, but that is a
subject for another time.) Sometimes the talk occurs in hushed tones
more appropriate for a hospital room or a funeral parlor, as in:
“There’s George. The poor man’s got a vocation. We need to pray for
him.” At other times, the discussion is framed in disbelief: “George?!
He’s got a vocation?! We’d better pray for the church!”
But what exactly do we mean by the word “vocation”? Who is likely to
have one?
Most
often when we hear the word “vocation”, we think of priests and
religious or of persons studying to become priests or religious. The
term, however, is much broader. The word “vocation” is rooted in the
Latin verb vocare (“to call”) and it means to hear and to respond
to the “call” of God in our lives to be the persons he created us to be
and to serve him in the best ways we can, given our talents and gifts.
Like
people, vocations come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone has a vocation
and each vocation has two dimensions. The first dimension, common to all
vocations, is the call each one of us has, by virtue of our baptism, to
follow Jesus Christ and to be public witnesses to the reign of God here
and now. The second dimension, which is unique to each particular
vocation, is the special way or state of life to which God is calling us
to serve him. For example, God’s grace inclines some to live as husband
and wife in the holy state of matrimony and to bear and raise children.
Others God invites to take up the committed single celibate life, but
without becoming priests or religious. Still others God’s spirit
inspires to become priests, deacons, sisters or brothers. No particular
vocation is superior to the rest. Each vocation is characterized by a
manner of living and rights and obligations, unique to it, that are
essential to the building up of the Body of Christ, the Church, and the
establishment of the reign of God.
So in
the future, if you hear that George has a vocation, don’t call the
doctor or the mortician and don’t faint with disbelief. Rejoice instead.
Throw a party and celebrate the good news. Pray for him (for the Church,
too) and for all who listen to the call of God in their hearts and
embrace their vocations, whatever they may be, to serve God faithfully –
to become the persons God has created them to be.
The
articles that will appear in this space over the next several weeks will
explore the subject of vocations, primarily vocations to the priesthood.
Topics will include “Why become a priest?,” “What should I do if I think
I have a vocation to the priesthood?,” “The signs of a priestly
vocation,” “Life at the seminary,” “Life as a diocesan priest,” “The
doubting Thomas guide to priestly vocations,” and others. Stay tuned. |
