So we all share this purpose—to become saints—which of course is not necessarily something we can work to achieve on our own without His help and guidance. Our ultimate end is complete union with God in Heaven, but in order for us to be made ready we need align our lives with His plan for us. God isn’t bound by time, He doesn’t just see us as we are at this moment in time. He can see us at our best. But He can also see us at the moment He created us. And for Him every moment can be a moment of creation, because He is always making us new.
“Behold, I make all things new.”
~ Revelation 21:5
Most of the work is on His end. The ball is in His court so to speak. He’s ready to transform you. He is the potter at the wheel slowly molding you into His masterpiece. However, the clay needs to be soft and pliable in order for the potter to mold it. If you don’t let God work in your life, then He probably won’t. It’s not that He can’t, but He’s not going to make you change if you don’t want to.
Your journey towards holiness, towards Heaven, works much better if you follow the path that God has set for you. This is where your vocation comes in.
What is a Vocation?
Vocation just means “calling” in latin. We all have a calling, whether or not we choose to listen for it. Most of the time we ignore it or are to preoccupied with our own plans for our lives that we couldn’t hear it if we wanted to. Finding our vocation—hearing our calling—requires that we be open to God’s will and His grace. In other words, we have want what God wants for us and accept the help He offers us.
Your vocation is that which helps make you the best-version-of-yourself.
When we hear about vocations as Catholics, it is usually in reference to the need for more priests. Unfortunately, this has caused the majority of us lay people to dismiss the notion of vocation in our lives. Every single one of us has a vocation. Yes, some might be called to the priesthood, but others might not. Some might have a call to the consecrated religious life as a friar or a nun. Many of us don’t have that call. Many of us are called to marriage, to family, the foundation of our society. Yet still some might be called to the celibate life, choosing to remain single for life allowing them to pursue opportunities for ministry and service that would not be possible with the commitment to family or a religious order.
Many Parts, One Body
One vocation is not greater than another. We have this false idea that priests and nuns are holier than lay people, or that married people are greater than single people. This is not a hierarchy or a class system. One is not higher than another on the scale. We are all part of the one mystical body of Christ. When you understand that it opens your eyes to understand that your vocation is not what you want for yourself, but what God wants for you—what He has designed you for.
“And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
~ Ephesians 4:11-12
Your vocation shouldn’t feel like a chore, it should bring you joy and fulfillment. You should be passionate about it. This is a cause for much sorrow in the lives of many people. They are not living their vocation. I think this is especially true when it comes to our jobs. There are many people who are dissatisfied at work, they’re not fulfilled, they’re not living up to their potential. They are not using the talents and gifts God has given them. They are not doing anything to build up the kingdom. They are not living their vocation.
We All Need Encouragement
Our society right now is—for lack of a better word—confused. We don’t value marriage or the family as the center of our society. Even those entering into marriage don’t see it as a calling, but rather based on feelings. This is why the divorce rate is so high. The Church is no better. We are desperatly in need of priests, yet we are not doing anything to help the situation. Parents don’t want their sons to be priests. If Catholics think this way, what should we expect to happen.
“Obviously, this pastoral work on all levels also includes exploring the matter with families, which are often indifferent or even opposed to the idea of a priestly vocation. Families should generously embrace the gift of life and bring up their children to be open to doing God’s will. In a word, they must have the courage to set before young people the radical decision to follow Christ, showing them how deeply rewarding it is.”
Although vocations are individual, they often times need to be fostered. When a young boy seems drawn to the priesthood he should be encouraged. If not, he will see the priesthood as an impossibility for his life. Young people also need to understand the value of marriage and the family. They need to understand that this is a calling and that if it is God’s plan for them to be married and start a family then they should be praying that He send them the right person.
Speaking of encouragement, check out the story of a former baseball player who answered the call to the priesthood.
Prayer is Essential in Discerning Vocations
Prayer is important when discerning your vocation (Read my “Discernment: Four Foolproof Steps to Learn God’s Will for You“). Remember, your vocation is what God is calling you to do, to be. So it might be a pretty good idea to consult with Him on the matter. So obviously you should be praying that God would open your eyes up to your vocation, but it’s also important that you and all of us as a community of believers join in prayer for vocations, especially vocations to the priesthood.
“What a difference it would make if every Catholic and every parish were dedicated to praying every day for our priests and for new vocations! Imagine the graces that would flow, if many of us would commit ourselves to regular adoration of the Eucharist and holy hours to pray for vocations!”
Vocations are all about directing our lives towards God and His will, so who better to turn to for both guidance in discovering our vocations and help living them out.
Resources for Vocations
Vocations from Chastity.com
USCCB Vocations Page
VocationBoom.com
50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations – April 21, 2013