Today’s readings are all about a call. A call to what, you might ask? Let’s look at part of the first reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Saint Paul says that we are supposed to live like we are worthy of having received our call. How do we do that? By living with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He calls us to preserve unity and peace. While doing this he reminds us of our call to belong to and believe in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Every single human being receives this call. It is a call to believe in and love the Lord of Heaven and earth, adopt the beliefs and practices of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church that Jesus Christ himself founded and still stands strong 2000 years later, be baptized and received into God’s family and have your sins washed away, and believe in and love and be loved by the one true God and Father of all the world! This is the call- the invitation- given to every single human being. It’s is up to them to accept or reject it.
Later in the reading, St. Paul states:
“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, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.“
Now St. Paul is talking about a different type of call. Each person receives this call, but each one in a different and specific way. This type of call that St. Paul is talking about is called a vocation. If you’re like most people, you hear the word vocation and think, “Oh! Priests!” That’s normal. It’s okay. The priesthood is certainly a great vocation! When I first learned about vocations, I remember thinking that they were something just for older people (and really holy people). I soon learned that I was wrong!! Everyone has a big “V” Vocation, the call to be married, a priest, single, or live in a religious community, but we also have different little “v” vocations at different times of our lives. We can be called to be a sibling, a student, an employee, a cousin, and a million other things. But all of us, every single one of us, has a vocation to love. Like St. Therese of Lisieux who said,"At last I have found my vocation. In the heart of the Church, I will be Love!" we are all called to love. From love, true, sacrificial love, flows every vocation that we are given. Without love and a desire to build up and bring together God’s Church, a vocation of any kind will be fruitless.
If you’re confused about where God is calling you, what state of life, what job, anything really, just try a little bit harder to love more. Love is the beginning of every vocation. A vocation is where God is calling you to love Him best. God knows your heart. He knows where He needs you to be and He knows even better than you do what will make you happy. To discover your vocation(s), all you need to do is love and ask God that His Will be done in your life. God is in control, He knows you and loves you, and He will lead you to the places where you can best serve His Church with your love. Do not be afraid! You have a purpose and God has a plan.
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