The Company of St. Ursula In the United States

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Tending the Vine – Your Vocation

YOU ARE CALLED!

"What is a 'Call?' "

God calls each of us on a path leading to love and joy, to service in this world and to life eternal.

"How can I hear God calling me?"

We hear in our own way: slowly or suddenly, through prayerful listening or powerful example, by falling in love or growing into love, in thought or exploration. Our vocation may be marriage, ministry, single commitment in lay life, or religious life. Each one's vocation is the best way for her or him to live in deep love for others and for God. Unfolding through the years, our calling brings us meaning and joy.

A WISDOM-TEACHER

Hearing and following one's calling can unfold through the years. ANGELA MERICI experienced how this path opens up gradually. As a young woman, she realized that God was calling her, and was calling her to form a company of women. Her heart responded: she would belong to God alone.

But how? What would she do? She discovered the answers step by step, through living and through listening. As she later said, "God wants to force no one, but only proposes, invites and counsels."

Angela chose single life as the best way for her to walk with God. She found spiritual guides and developed practices to nourish her spirit. In midlife she moved from her hometown to Brescia to comfort a bereaved woman; she encountered a war-scarred city. She found God's guidance by listening in prayer and in her surroundings. Above all, she heeded "the counsels and inspirations which the Holy Spirit continually sends into the heart."

A close brush with death was a wake-up call. She had more to do! Finally Angela gathered women whose search for God and for spiritual companionship was part of her vocation. She founded the Company of St. Ursula.

REFLECTING and DOING

Whether you are seeking out your vocation or are already committed within it, explore how to find or deepen it.

1) If I could do what I really wanted to do, I would __________. (Name it).

2) What are your plans and your dreams? Name two things to immediately help realize them. Do them. (Oh, and is God in that plan? Better yet, what is God's plan for you?)

3) Consider the distinctions...

Job: how I make a living
Occupation: my field of work
Career/profession: a more or less permanent dedication to a field of work/service
Vocation: the calling that gives meaning to my whole life

Ask yourself...

What job(s) have I done?
What occupations have I enjoyed?
What career or profession has attracted me?
What is my vocation ?
How does my job/occupation/profession fit into my vocation?

Can you answer these questions, or are there 'missing pieces' you still need to explore further?

4) Part of decision-making is getting information. Talk to people. Ask someone you know, someone you don't know, and someone you admire why they are doing what they're doing. How do they experience God's call in their lives?

5) Your challenge may be to discern your vocation. Find a good spiritual director/guide and ask help in finding the life to which God calls you. You don't have to do it alone.

6) You may like to

Draw a picture of where you are now.
Draw a picture of where you'd like to be in five to ten years.
Set these drawings, one on either side of you.
Talk to God about the 'place in-between': this immediate future in front of you. There is no picture here yet. What would you like to see? Is there anything you can add?
Look back over the path you've come and laugh at something that's happened.

SCRIPTURE PATHS

As you read Scripture, listen to what happens inside you. This may be the prompt coming from God’s Spirit inside your heart and spirit. Pay attention. Listen. Respond. Talk to God.

1.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the LORD. . . (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

2.
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
            From where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
            the maker of heaven and earth. . . .

The LORD will guard you from all evil,
            will always guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and going
            both now and forever (Psalm 121:1, 2, 7, 8).

3.
Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works
            and was present when you made the world;
Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes
            and what is conformable with your commands.
Send her forth from your holy heavens
            and from your glorious throne dispatch her
That she may be with me and work with me,
            that I may know what is your pleasure.
For she knows and understands all things,
            and will guide me discreetly in my affairs
            and safeguard me by her glory (Wisdom 9:9-11).

4.
            John and Andrew were searching. Their spiritual guide, John the Baptist, had pointed out Jesus of Nazareth. Who was this new-comer? They would follow him at a distance, try not to be noticed, and observe him. Jesus surprised them by turning around and asking a question of his own: “What are you looking for?”
            Taken off guard, John and Andrew fumbled for words and blurted out, “Where are you staying?”
            Jesus must have smiled. He invited them, as he invites us: “Come and see!”
                                                - cf. John 1:35-40

5.
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4:18-20).

6.
If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me (Matthew 19:21).

7.
            She had found the person who gave meaning to her life, Jesus of Nazareth. Now he was dead. Sobbing near his tomb, blinded by her tears, Mary of Magdala spoke to a stranger. Then he called her name, “Mary!” and her heart nearly stopped with recognition and joy. He was alive! He was with her!
            “Go, tell the others that I am going to God.” Jesus was calling her to be the apostle of his Resurrection, calling her to a mission in the Church. Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and recounted what he had told her.
                                                - cf. John 20:11-18

Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright (C) 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of the New American Bible may be reprinted without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

PRAYER

Have a heart-to-heart talk with God. You choose the place. You bring the agenda. Talk to God about your life. What energizes you? Is God part of that?

~

Revisit that place. Now set aside your agenda and your plans. Let God speak. What is God’s plan for you?

~

Compose a prayer for your own vocation: for finding it or for deepening it.

~

O Holy Spirit, let me hear your voice
            so that I may know and understand
            what you want for me.
            Guide me into my future.

Christ Jesus, let my love for you
            and for my neighbors grow.
            Teach me to meet the challenge
            of serving others.

God, Source of life, let me hear your call
            in my brothers and sisters,
            in the neighbors among whom I live,
            in the places I work. Amen!