Building a culture of vocations awareness in our parishes and dioceses calls us to first and foremost be aware that God continues to call each of us to a life of service. For most, this will be the call to married life, to be a loving spouse and loving parent. Marriage and parenthood is indeed a vocation of service! There are fewer selfless people than moms and dads!
God also calls men and women to serve in the Church. Those called to priesthood and diaconal ministry are to be like Christ the Good Shepherd, to lead and serve the People of God. And those women and men called to religious life become living signs of the Gospel; their lives of poverty, chastity, and obedience point to the radical nature of the Kingdom of God.
 |
| "To become a priest or a religious is not primarily our choice; it is our answer to a calling, a calling of love." -Pope Francis |
To build such a culture in our Church, we need to give individuals the freedom to explore possible calls to priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. Parents ought to encourage such callings and allow their children to explore these possibilities. Priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers all need to be joyful. Vocations are not supposed to be heavy burdens, but responses of love!
Finally, there is something very powerful about being called by name. If we recognize that a young man or woman is generous, selfless, loving, and prayerful, they might very well be called to serve the Church. We have the responsibility to suggest this possible calling to them.
Jesus called his first disciples by name. So too, in our day, does Jesus call individuals to be priests, deacons, and religious. However, it is now our responsibility, as the Church, to call these potential nuns, brothers, deacons, and priests by name.
For more information, check out: www.ScrantonVocations.com
No comments:
Post a Comment