Rethink Vocation In The Awakening
In the Old Testament we read about a woman named Hannah that was barren for many years until God eventually blessed her with a son. In gratitude to the Lord, she dedicates her boy, Samuel, to serve at the shrine of Shiloh under Eli the priest. One night, the young Samuel heard his name being called at a late hour. However, when the young one approached Eli three times, the latter responded the first and second time, “I did not call you, go back to sleep.” Then, the third time, he perceived clearly what was happening and instructed the young Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” (1 Sam 3:1-10) Why would God call Samuell? Certainly, many have wondered why God would choose to call someone like him at such a young age. This naturally leads to the question: “Who does God call?” I reflected upon this question when I read the book Awakening Vocation, by Edward P. Hahnenberg. It examines the history of how vocation has been understood, and challenges its readers to rethink vocation in light of a revitalized theology of grace. Indeed, God desires to communicate Himself to all people. Therefore, He also invites all people to know, love, and serve Him. As we saw in Samuel's case, a vocation is formed when God calls. Indeed, His call is
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The laity's primary vocation is the call to holiness. This universal vocation is to be lived out in union with the whole Church. Therefore, as the laity are becoming more prepared today than ever before for the work of evangelization, it is important that there be great collaboration and unity between the ordained ministers, the consecrated ministers and the lay ministers of the Church. Prayer, maturity, and spiritual zeal for the salvation of souls are required to put aside any differences of opinions or personalities that can surface when various people are seeking the will of God through their
The laity's primary vocation is the call to holiness. This universal vocation is to be lived out in union with the whole Church. Therefore, as the laity are becoming more prepared today than ever before for the work of evangelization, it is important that there be great collaboration and unity between the ordained ministers, the consecrated ministers and the lay ministers of the Church. Prayer, maturity, and spiritual zeal for the salvation of souls are required to put aside any differences of opinions or personalities that can surface when various people are seeking the will of God through their