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God calls whomever God chooses
When we think of a calling, we sometimes think it is only for the “religious” types, those ones who never seem to do anything wrong, who were born and bred in the Catholic Church, who speaks with ease about religious stuff. And you know, once and a while, it is that person, but God has this disconcerting habit of choosing people who are a bit rough around the edges, who might have a tendency to be wild, rash, passionate, or temperamental. One has only to look at the women and men who constituted his first disciples to see that they were a mix of people each with rough edges and great giftedness. Some weren’t even “religious” but in them Jesus recognized a spirit of dedication, kindness, zeal, compassion, perseverance — and other such gifts that were perfectly suited for being a disciple.
So what if you have a tattoo or forget the words to the Act of Contrition (my biggest fear when walking into a confessional) or are not a virgin or enjoy falling in love or want to become a rocket scientist? Think that’s incompatible with being called? Not a chance.
There is no one who is beyond God’s call and in fact every one of us does have a calling. There are lifelong callings like to be in a relationship, to be a parent, to be a missionary, to be a religious sister or brother, to be a lifelong educator. And there are callings to a kind of ministry or service such as healing, teaching, advocating, learning, praying, companioning, protecting, or encouraging. We might experience many of the latter in our lives and within our “umbrella” lifelong calling. For example, my lifelong calling is to be a religious sister, specifically to be an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister. But within this lifelong calling, I also am called to serve in a particular way using technology and the Internet and theology and spirituality. I am also called to a particular kind of lifestyle that is sensitive to all of God’s creation.
So think about how you are called — how you are living this calling right now even if you might never have thought about it as a calling? And for those of you who thought you were “beyond help” for becoming a nun or a deacon or a monk or religious sister or a priest or a consecrated virgin … what’s blocking you?
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When we think of a calling, we sometimes think it is only for the “religious” types, those ones who never seem to do anything wrong, who were born and bred in the Catholic Church, who speaks with ease about religious stuff.
Whew, thank God that wasn’t a prerequisite for receiving a call to religious life…there are many reasons why I love Augustine so much, not the least of which we both were the greatest of sinners and the least “churchy” before hearing the call to conversion and then to religious life
Sister Julie, thank you for this. I’ve been riding a see-saw the past few days wondering why God called me, a person who was not raised Catholic, and who ‘ have a tendency to be wild, rash, passionate” about her life.
In the tone of what you’ve written, I quote St. Therese the Little Flower “I am the smallest of creatures and I recognize my worthlessness, but I also know how hearts that are generous and noble love to do good.”
Really loved this post… It is true… God has a calling for each of us, and though sometimes we may think that it’d have been easier not to hear Him and go on with our own Will, the truth is that He, and only He knows which is the right path for each of us to reach happiness…
Each day I am more overwhelmed by how huge God’s love is and how true His presence among us is too… mmm, I think I’m in love ^_^…
Blessings to you all!
Amparito (thats diminutive for Amparo)
God has a calling for all. Some people think a calling refers only to the religious life, but God calls some of us for specifically for marriage as well. It’s up to us to use discernment and maybe also some helpful advice from a spiritual director to help us know what our calling might be. I personally think if a person has had some sort of supernatural or spiritual dream or experience could give you some hints, especially if you dream of saints, the holy family or even when you’re awake and alone you hear your name being called out 3 times from out of nowhere. Those are some of the signs i had to know i was called to become a nun. God doesn’t only call the ‘churchy’ too religious type to follow him in religious life. Some of the history’s greatest saints were once great sinners. God knows the heart and forgives all when they truly repent, and turn away from their sinful past that lead them away from God. I read somewhere that God calls each of us to a holy life, no matter what our vocation would be. It might seem impossible in this day and age but with true determination and of course the grace and help of God given, nothing is impossible.
Nina, good to hear from you. So true that God calls all of us. Blessings to you.