The Bible records God’s intervention in human history.  In this divine intervention, God did not work alone but constantly called individuals to co-operate in His saving acts.  God called Abraham form his city or Ur to the land of Canaan.  God called Moses top lead his enslaved people out of Egypt.  God called Isaiah to be his prophet in announcing repentance and redemption.  In the final analysis, God’s call is always a call to co-operate in bringing salvation to the world.  It is not limited to any specific role or function.  Indeed it is a gift from god firstly to encounter God Himself- or as the Bible says “to see the face of God.”  After this personal and life- changing encounter with God, then comes a specific role.

“Vocation” is used to describe this calling from God.  The dynamics of this call experience is reflected in many instances of the Bible.  The story of the blind beggar Bartimeus is a good example.

Bartimeus sits along the road in Jericho, seeking a living by begging.  Seeking to live was merely begging for alms, and clearly Bartimeus is not satisfied with that.  He hears that Jesus is passing by his way and he loudly calls for Jesus. Bartimeus knew deep within himself that begging for money was not sufficient for his life.  He wanted something more profound- “to see again.”  Jesus then calls for Bartimeus and heals him.  The call is totally gratuitous and is fundamentally an encounter with Jesus.  Bartimeus’ search for life is now fulfilled: no longer is life sustained by the alms given to him out of pity, but true life is to “see again.”  Bartimeus now sees the face of the living God-Jesus the Christ, and this encounter changes his life.  It is Jesus the living God who sustains and gives meaning to Bartimeus’ life.  Bartimeus then makes a life- changing decision.  He leaves his cloak behind and “follows Jesus” to Jerusalem.  Bartimeus discovered his vocation.

In these and many other biblical stories where Jesus calls disciples we find certain characteristics:

1. It is God who calls and it is up to us to choose to respond.
2. Jesus Christ is the focal point of this call.  It is an encounter with Jesus and a call to follow after Jesus.
3. This encounter results in a life- changing situation.  Life is never the same after this encounter.  The former way of life is abandoned and a new form of life is embraced.

The biblical call stories remind us that our response to God’s call requir4es a change of lifestyle and a lifelong personal commitment.  This is best illustrated by the biblical image for describing the life of faith with a journey.  All the instances of God’s calling is reflected as a long and arduous journey of faith, either by individuals such as the personal journeys of faith, like Bartimeus, Zacchaeus the tax collector, Simon Peter and the fishermen who became apostles; or as a community from the call of Abraham and his family from Ur to Canaan; or Moses and the Israelites in the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land; from the violent expulsion from the is Promised Land to the Exile in Babylon, and the return of the Israelites to Judea. Even the life and mission of Jesus is presented as a long journey, beginning with his dynamic ministry in Galilee leading to the fateful journey to Jerusalem where he met his death and triumphed in the Resurrection and Ascension to heaven.

The Bible stories of God’s call help us understand our own vocation first as a Christian, and then as a married, single or consecrated person.  It gives us examples of different responses to this divine call.  It gives meaning to this process of dialogue with God that involves challenges, success and failure.  May you begin your faith journey enlightened by God’s Word.

Discerning a Vocation

God gently calls each of us to follow a particular way of life for service to God and the Church.  It is a unique, individual call for each of us, to which we must give our own response.  Taking responsibility for our choices in life requires that we prayerfully listen for, and follow through, that personal invitation from God, whether it be to marriage, single life, lay religious life or ordained religious life.  Such listening is called discernment.

This process of discerning one’s vocation or choosing how one will walk in the way of God for the rest of one’s life is not a simple or easy task.  This may be even frightening but it is necessary if we are to realize our full potential as God wills it.  In short, discerning a vocation is the act of finding one’s place in the plan of God.

Just as each of us are individuals, ways to engage in the discernment process will also vary for each one.  With each person, God chooses to speak according to His pleasure and according to our ability and desire to listen.  However, there are some tried and true guidelines to follow in the discernment process:

Discernment:

• Discernment is not an isolated exercise.  God also speaks to us through other people.
• Seek to discuss your vocation with others who share your system of beliefs and who wish to give advice for the purpose of assisting you in your search to do the will of God.

Please, don’t discern alone!  Such practice is not discernment and can lead to self- deception.

• Seek the counsel of Franciscan men and women who can listen to you and assist you in putting your talents and aspirations into perspective.
• Sometimes choosing a trained spiritual director will be helpful in discovering God’s plan for you.
• Discuss your hunger to do the will of God with others whom you respect and trust in the light of their own journey with God.
• Read and reflect on the lives of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare and other Franciscan people and topics.  Note if you can identify with and feel called to the Franciscan ideals and spirituality.

Contact:

• Make contacts with Franciscans whose vocation seems to attract you and who, you believe, are living their lives purposefully and in accordance with the will of God.
• Visit them; talk to them; ask questions of them; share your concerns; share your insights; share your search.  Often Franciscan religious communities are open to allowing you a live- in experience for a weekend or longer. 
• Listen to these Franciscan contacts.
• Take note of how you feel in their presence.  Take note if their stories open up yearnings and dreams in your own heart.  Then, ask yourself if you could be happy following their way in life.

Time alone with God:

• Take time alone with God- for prayer, mediation and reflection.  Pray before the Blessed Sacrament and especially through daily or more frequent attendance at weekday Mass and Communion.
• Ask God the Father to bless you.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
• Ask Jesus to show you the way in which you should walk.
• In solitude, and with others, reflect prayerfully on the Scriptures.
• Discover what God wants of you; discover who God is calling you to be.