What's in your heart?

Do I have a vocation even if I am not baptized?

Yes, vocation means "being called". From the moment God creates you, God has a dream for you. This dream is about a special journey. God assigns meaning, purpose and endowment of gifts to your journey. Every life is a vocation, sent out with a specific excitement for something in life, sent out to joyfully serve, to live to its potential, to multiply and share the gifts with others. Your journey is your vocation; celebrate who you are! "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I chose you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you".

Along the journey a person is not alone. God takes the initiative to reveal and be present in your life through people, events -even painful events -and to share life. This sharing of God's life with us is what we call Baptism. Baptism is a gift. Through Baptism a person freely chooses to unite himself or herself in a sacred family bond to God. Thus the Holy Spirit of God comes to take real dwelling in him or her. The baptized becomes a real living temple, and no longer belongs to self.

The journey as a baptized person takes a new dimension: a call to live worthy of the sacred bond. Vocation for a baptized is no longer becoming something in the future but following someone in the present, the person of Jesus the Christ. The growing in knowledge and love for the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ and ministering in God's name, together with the rest of the baptized as Church is whatis also known as the call to holiness and ministry. What matters then is to serve with joy, living to our own potential, multiplying and sharing our gifts with others in this journey together building up the Body of Christ, the Church.

Open your Bible, take time to meditate and pray on the Word of God: Jeremiah 1: 1-10 and Ephesians 1:3 then John 15:16 What's in your heart right now?

Watch for God's Signs...

What if I feel my calling is to play basketball or drums in a band or teach middle school, how would I know that's God's calling for me?

Vocation is "where your deepest gladness meets the world's deepest needs". Vocation is where you are at peace, where there is joy. Discovering what Jesus Christ is calling you to at this time in your journey is what we call discernment. You will be truly a winner if you find out what God is asking from you, and then GO DO IT! Many times the Holy Spirit speaks in you in the quiet voice of your heart. God reveals a map for you through friends, parents and ordinary events, is what is known as signs from God. To hear God's voice is easy at times; to view those signs is also easy at times. However when we are not open and willing to follow God's will in whatever we are asked, the discernment of God's voice and signs becomes obscure and useless. Freedom and personal choice can hold back a person.

Indifference to God's invitations could be your personal answer and choice. So the real challenge for a person considering following Jesus Christ is generosity and unconditional openness.

Whether you are a high school student, college student, dating, married, or a single parent, God is speaking to you, God is asking you something.you can read the signs. Are you open and willing to act?

Make it Happen!

Do I have to think of vocation as something for the future when God calls me?

Vocation is acceptance of what God wants from you today, right now, whether it is something at work, in your family, with your friends, in your parish or with your own life. Discernment is an acceptance that comes from your heart more than from your head.

Your journey is your vocation. Many times people wonder about what God is going to ask of them, what are they going to become, as if vocation were something for the future but not the present. Vocation does not begin the day someone gets married, or when someone becomes a priest. The Church only confirms your vocation by administering these sacraments. The present here and now is your vocation, your past is your vocation, your future career where God wants you to be is also part of your vocation. Live your vocation at the present and celebrate who you are today!

What practical ways I can do to listen to God's constant invitations?

First, Be open to God and trust: God knows what is best for you. He is not going to ask of you something you can't do, even if you presently don't understand how.

Second, Talk to someone who knows about the ways of God, a Priest, a Sister, Deacon, Pastoral Director or Associate, a good parishioner, a teacher in school and ask for advice. To speak to a spiritual advisor click here

Third, Ask God for more ministry: "Lord bless me, bless me a lot so I can share it with others, send me, expand my territory of influence to witness and serve You in others. May Your hand be with me. Send me!"

Fourth, Build a personal relationship with God: Get to know Him daily,read His Word in the Bible, visit Him in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Don't be afraid to complain to Him about what is bothering you, or about what society's standards for living are demanding of you to believe and behave.

Finally, take ownership over your life. If God calls you to help the poor, the homeless or to be a Deacon, a Lay Minister, a Priest, a Sister, you decide with God and His Church.Make it happen with God!

Feel free to email me if you need any support, advice, or comments to make: esandstad@cdlex.org