You Are Called

Did you know that you are specifically called by God Himself to bring glory to His Kingdom and His Name? You are.

“By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. . . . It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and maybe to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer.” Catechism of the. Catholic Church # 898

I recall when I received my calling from God. A priest visiting our parish asked me to consider the diaconate. I was thrown off by this request and just blew it off, “no way! I’m not qualified.” A few months later, another priest approached me at the men’s gathering and asked if I had ever considered the diaconate. “Not really” was my reply. Then, finally one of our parish parochial vicars said to me that I should consider answering the Bishop’s calling to the diaconate. Ok, so at this point I figured I should consider and pray about it. I found myself pretty excited about the prospect of serving the Church as an ordained deacon. I turned to God in prayer and after a few weeks heard God’s surprising answer. This is how the conversation went. “My son, this is not your calling to be a deacon.” “But, why not? I would love to serve you at the altar and among the people.” “If you chose this path, I will support you, Ed. But, I have different plans. I want you to serve the people of My Church as one of them.” “But, I don’t understand Lord.” “You can serve Me as ordained deacon, but when you serve me as just you, you bring Me great glory.”

So, I turned down the request, not really getting it at all. Over time, God cleared it further that serving as a deacon, people would expect me to do the things I do, but serving in the laity, people will be surprised and drawn more to me and through me to God.

I have several brothers in Christ who are ordained deacons, and several who are priests. They have such a great calling to serve the Church in their ministry. But, for those of us called to lay life, we too serve God’s Kingdom.

“Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit – indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born – all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. And so, worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #901

When we live our lives, through work, family, menial little labors and even the pains of life, doing it all with God clear in our eyes, we bring great glory to God. Changing a diaper, carrying for an aged, sick parent, sitting in our cubicle, driving to work or at the grocery store, God’s light can shine through our life.

“You may be the only Bible someone may ever read.”

Priest, deacon, father, mother, single. A CEO, manager or janitor. Husband or wife. All are callings to one single goal – sainthood. To become a saint and lead others to the sanctified Road of Faith is the calling of our life.

I answered, “where You lead, Lord, I will follow. Let my life bring You glory as long as I breath.” God has not let me down, nor allowed me to not find opportunities to glorify His Kingdom in my life.

Answer God’s call to you, wherever you are.

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve^[d] the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24