January 22, 2006

As I shared in last week's homily - January is Vocation Awareness Month. Today, I'd like to share a few more thoughts about the nature of "Vocation" as well as the reflection I used last week from a Pastoral letter of the Irish Bishops.

WHAT IS A VOCATION?

In speaking about vocations, Pope John Paul II said that God has given each of us a heart open to great horizons.

The gifts that each of us has been given by our Creator are unique to us and designed to help us carry out the specific plan that God has in mind for our happiness.

God promises to reveal that divine plan to us, if we keep our hearts open. It will be made known to us through prayerfully asking for God's will and through our relationships with the people around us. That way of life, which makes us happy and follows God's will, is our vocation.

Think of the gifts God has given you. How can you use those gifts to best serve God and God's people? Finding that out will bring you happiness.

VOCATION REFLECTION

"What can I do?"

Trust that one man, one woman can do for God what otherwise would not be done.

Trust that some people will hear the gospel of Jesus.

That some who are in need will find the touch of human love.

That others will find a listening ear or a voice in their poverty, only because you have chosen to give God a central place in your life.

It is not just your work, your choice, your decision. You choose because you are chosen, you choose because in the heart of your desire to love, you have found the heart of God searching for you.

(Come follow me, Pastoral of the Irish Bishops, 1987)

Peace and please pray for our young people to celebrate their gifts and listen to God's call and the needs of His people.

Fr. Chuck