Whether it is a personal or ecclesial vocation, his holiness Pope Francis said in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocation said that there are three important aspects for us to fully accomplish and live to the vocation that the Lord has called us for.
Pope Francis said that the three aspects which are listening, discerning and living were also said to be present during the beginning of Jesus’ own mission when he listened to the calling of His father, discerned to the message of his mission and accepted to live by it.
Listening
The Lord talks to us, but his voice isn’t as clear as the normal sounds and music that we hear everyday. He talks to us silently but the his voice are sadly being blocked by the worries and confusions in our hearts. Pope Francis encouraged us to listen to the voice of the Lord and be attentive to the happenings in our lives so we can “view things with the eyes of faith, and to keep ourselves open to the surprises of the Spirit.” We will lose the chance to experience the story that God wrote for us if we maintained enclosed in ourselves.
Listening is becoming more difficult as we are living in a society filled with noise and overloaded with information accompanied by our own confusions that hinder us to pay attention and listen to the loving plans of our Lord for us.
Discerning
When Jesus was called, he discerned the message of his mission and presented it to the people who were hoping for the coming of the Messiah. If we spiritually discern, we can also discover the vocation that the Lord wants for us as it is said, “a process by which a person makes fundamental choices, in dialogue with the Lord and listening to the voice of the Spirit, starting with the choice of one’s state in life” (SYNOD OF BISHOPS, XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment, II, 2).
The bible taught us that prophets, in times of great need were sent to represent God and relay the message of hope and consolation. The prophet helps the people to feel God’s promise and see the light amidst the darkness. Each of us needs spiritual discernment to be able to see in our own lives to what or to where we are being called by Lord so we can completely live to our mission.
Living
The Lord continues to call everyone to follow him and serve him directly and our fear and hesitation will not help. “Vocation is today!” Our mission will not be fulfilled if we keep on waiting for the perfect time. Open our hearts and minds to the Lord’s calling. It is a grace to be called and forever consecrated to God and serve to our brothers and sisters. Do not be limited by your imperfections and fear, wholeheartedly listen to the voice, discern your mission and live for it today!
From the message of his holiness Pope Francis for the 2018 World Day of Vocations.
Camille Cabal
EIC, Website Team, Media Ministry
Camille embodies a soul of a writer that’s why even though how many times she tried turning away from it, she finds herself not only coming back but also loving it. Camille finished her Bachelor’s degree major in Communication in Trinity University of Asia. She is now working as a freelance copywriter. Her desire to explore a new world is her reason for joining Media and Public Information Ministry. Being with MPIM for years taught her how passionate she can get. She believes that the best way to get things done is to put your heart into whatever you do.
