THE CALL

- July 05, 2023

THE CALL

(July 5, 2023)

Whenever the word “Call” is mentioned in the context of a lifestyle, immediately what comes to mind is the lifestyle of a priest and/or religious known as “vocation”.

VOCATION comes from the Latin vocationem which literally means “a calling, a being called” from vocatus “called” which is a past participle of vocare “to call” of which is related to vox “voice.” vocation | Etymology, origin and meaning of vocation by etymonline

A vocation is a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation, or a divine call to God’s service or to the Christian life. https://bing.com/search?q=vocation

Vocation or the Call has become to mean “spiritual calling” that almost always to refer to a priestly and/or religious lifestyle.

There is also another definition of vocation – “a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.” Vocation Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

Oftentimes I would think that there were countless men and women who tried the priestly/religious life as a vocation but a great number of them left that “life-call” for various reasons, on top of which is, “God is calling me to a different lifestyle.” (I am one of them, actually.)

To have a call or a vocation does not mean only in the direction of the more extensive Christian lifestyle of the religious/priestly life. There are various lifestyles out there where one is called to be and become. Once found and followed, the person finds fulfillment and even excels in the chosen field. We do not need to look elsewhere nor narrate here some examples and statistics. If you are reading this, you just need to look at yourself. You are who you are now because you responded to the call of God to be the person that He wants you to be; to be in the profession God that has chosen for you; to be of service to God’s people (family or community) on behalf of Him. God calls. We respond. Whatever lifestyle it is, that is our calling, our vocation.

As 1 Corinthians 12 narrates: ⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12 NIV - Concerning Spiritual Gifts - Now about - Bible Gateway

We can refer back to the whole chapter 12 of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians where he explores spiritual gifts as well as the unity and diversity of the Christian community. We are gifted and called to be who we are, different from the others, but with the same mission – to be of service to the whole community of believers and extend the same even to non-believers, meaning, our calling is for ALL - by the grace of God, for His divine glory.

If one is called to a priest or a religious man/woman, thanks be to God.

If one is called to be a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, a lawyer, thanks be to God.

If one is called to take care of the aged or the children in a household, thanks be to God.

If one is called to work outside of one’s country, thanks be to God.

If one is called to design buildings, houses, or bridges, thanks be to God.

If one is called to be a full time in-charge of the family household, thanks be to God.

Whatever we do, whatever we are, we are all called to be of service with sincerity, dedication, commitment to be and do the best that we can.

It is imperative though that we are faithful to our call. Our fidelity to the call is our way of giving back to God the gift of talent that He has given us to be who we are and what we have become.

We are all called to be of service in God’s behalf…in His Holy Name.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Amen.