Rob Colquhoun

Vocations Talk - Hillingdon

4^th Sunday of Easter 2007

 

1/ Background of own vocation

2/ Who is Called by God?

3/ How and why are we called by God?

4/ When are we called?

 

Theology- most exciting of disciplines- eternal life, salvation, encompasses the world’s mysteries. No Theology in tescos.

Vocare= to call

Maria sound of Music resolves to Discover the will of God and do it wholeheartedly

Trainspotting- Ewan Mcgregor is bewildered by choice and chooses not to choose anything at all- a scene reminiscent of the parable of the talents.

 

Who is Called?

Everybody! Universal call to holiness, all have gift and mission, task in this world.

Cardinal Newman. All have responsibility of building the Kingdom of God here on earth, Take in strangers, clothe the Naked, Visit sick, Those in Prison (Mt ch 25).

Priesthood of all believers is the understanding of the responsibility of all.

Paul brings message of Gospel/salvation to pagans.

No called to be successful but to be faithful. Called to Priesthood, Marriage, single life.

 

How and why are we called?

God chooses (you did not choose me I chose you)… God gives Vocation- us to respond.

Through listening to God in silence and prayer. Prayer is our communication with God. Sometimes God speaks in the quiet wind and not the earthquake.

Through an encounter with Christ.

Through commitment, discernment, and even the advice of trusted, wise people, like Eli is to Samuel in the OT.

Our vocation lived fully should bring happiness and fulfilment.

Paul had a deep understanding of vocation: he called us to “lead a life worthy of the Vocation to which you are called” (Eph 4:1). He saw God gives gifts to men- some to be apostles, others prophets, others evangelists, others pastors and teachers in order to prepare people for the work of Xn Service (Eph 4). And also to bring people together in Christ.

But consciously and subconsciously we put up barriers in our lives in order to prevent God entering our lives and which stop the fruitful action of the holy Spirit from healing our wounds. The gifts of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, self control (gal 5:22) – when our behaviour is guided by the spirit then we are more likely to fully discover our true vocation.

We cannot frustrate participation in the work of God, because sins against the holy spirit are not forgiven. We must help God create his likeness in our souls.

Thomas Merton said (what is meditation p89) that many Xns do not appreciate their vocation to sanctity… to knowledge, love and service of God. They do not realise what possibilities for joy there is in the knowledge and love of him.

 

We are called to give greater Glory to God.

To be part of his plan, to be robed in righteousness, through the gifts of Hsp

In true relationship, by relating properly to others we discover our own vocation and our gift of self to others helps the practice of our vocation.

Ultimately our vocation can only bear fruition from our own Free will.

 

When are we called?

 

Some like Jeremiah called in the womb before birth. Paul talks of being chosen in Christ, before the world was made (Eph 1:4).

Some called eg Samuel, Abraham, conversion of Paul in the middle of life.

What is definite is that God has called us in the past and continues to have a plan for our lives here and now. We must be able to listen to “what the spirit is saying to the Churches” (cf. Bk revelation) in order to have the response of Isaiah- here I am send me.

We cannot have the response of the parable of the talents of the man who buried his talents in the sand out of fear and frustration..

We must always continue to believe that God has a special plan for us no matter what the circumstances of our life.

Jesus’ overwhelming message is be not afraid! Even Mary was afraid at her calling…

Fear paralyses a vocation… never to be tested

Eg. Fear of others, thoughts of others, commitment, sacrifice, total self gift, -prevents the discovery of self to be made. And our capacity to say yes. Prevents the development of a vocation.

The disciples response to their calling, Simon, Andrew, James, John, was Immediate- ours can involve more hesitation and waiting around.

 

Vocations can really be fully fostered when self esteem and confidence is at a respectable standard.

Gregory of Nyssa “Consider our Royal dignity! Not even the heavens are made in the royal dignity you have.”

 

Priesthood is not a career choice but the response to a call. Priests are called to be servants and shepherds, like the good Shepard, to guide and lead the community in service.

Love is a decision – commitment and perverseverance foster that calling.