I had a tough time deciding if I should write about yesterday's World Day of Prayer for Vocations or today's Earth Day ... so I decided to do a mashup of both!
Sunday was a call to prayer for vocations, with a particular emphasis on vocations to consecrated and ordained life. Today is a call to protect the environment, with this year's theme emphasis on climate change.
Sometimes we think of vocation or one's calling as being a one-time deal. I'm called to this thing OR that thing. Period. While there is some truth in the sense that a life calling can be an over-arching framework for our lives, there are many callings and vocations that we live into throughout our lives. As Catholic sisters and nuns, as members of a family, as lay leaders, as brothers and priests -- we need to develop the God-given gifts and passions that are already within us! These do not disappear when we enter into a life commitment; rather they enhance and fill out that "meta-vocation".
So if you love nature or are good at tinkering with techy gadgets, develop the calling! If you enjoy banging pots and pans around in the kitchen or helping children learn, develop the calling!
As you think about your meta-calling, whether it's where you are now or maybe something you are moving towards, consider also the constellation of callings that make up your life! What do your vocations look like?
