Q & A on Discernment
Religious Missionary Life
Questions
How do I know that God is calling me?
Where do I fit in?
Which Church Vocation and Ministry is best for me?
There are seven indicators that can help a young person to feel
at home in religious and missionary life. As you read them, listen to your
heart. What does it tell you? Remember, these are just indicators, not
characteristics that you need to possess in order to start considering a life
vocation in mission.
You might have some strong indicators, while others need more attention on your
part. Don't be discouraged. No one wants to see perfection. Even saints were not
perfect.
1 - A sensitivity to Others:
This is the kind of person who stands
up for others, who wants to be helpful to others, who refuses to allow people to
bully others, who sense when people are depressed or in a low mood and tries to
lift them up
2 - Attraction to groups dealing with Human Needs:
People drawn to
religious and missionary life are often drawn to efforts like working among and
with the poor, the homeless, the lonely, the forgotten, the refugees, the
migrants, etc
"I am Jesus... Now get up and go into the
city and you will be told what you must do"
[by Antonella del Grosso, xmm]
3 - Idealism:
Many young people express their ideals in areas like
peace and justice and a better world. We need to nurture these values and
longings present in us so that they may become our driving force
4 - Leadership:
People who work well with others, who enjoy being in charge,
carrying out responsibilities, and who have natural leadership talents. Contrary
to the old image of the quiet, pious follower ready-made for religious life, our
Church and world today need leadership-oriented young people, a leadership that
is perceived as service, collaboration, and teamwork
5 - Creativity:
People who appreciate music, drama, and the other
arts. The church needs creative people in their ministry in order to touch
people’s lives in new ways
6 - Orientation toward People:
Being able to enjoy people and
friendships, chatting, working, sharing their day-to-day experiences… because
they care and they want to grow together, not in isolation
7 - Search for the Meaning in Life:
We could also describe this
quality as that of being faith-filled, but this quality sometimes scares us, for
we don’t see ourselves as “holy.” However, all of us (in our personal vocations
in life) are involved in an ongoing search for a deeper relationship with God
"May all peoples come to know Jesus Christ, whom You
sent, Your Son and our companion."
THE NEXT STEP
1 - Read one of these Vocation Calls:
Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1:4-10, 15:10-21
John the Baptist - John 1:19-34
Paul of Tarsus - Acts 9:1-25
2 - Conclude your Meditation with:
Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel
3 - Put these thoughts into action by:
Read an article today on problems relating to poor countries. Check also our
website on the latest news.
The Call of Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:4-10, 15:10-21
The word of the LORD came to me thus: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed
you. "Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the
LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall
go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I
am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Then the LORD extended his hand and
touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set
you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and
to demolish, to build and to plant.
Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all
the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. Tell me, LORD, have I not
served you for their good? Have I not interceded with you in the time of
misfortune and anguish? You know I have. Remember me, LORD, visit me, and avenge
me on my persecutors. Because of your long-suffering banish me not; know that
for you I have borne insult. When I found your words, I devoured them; they
became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD,
God of hosts. I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; under the
weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. Why is
my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed
become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! Thus the LORD
answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall
stand; if you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my
mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to
them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they
fight against you, they shall not prevail, for I am with you, to deliver and
rescue you, says the LORD.
The Call of John the Baptist
John 1:19-34
And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and
Levites (to him) to ask John the Baptist, "Who are you?" he admitted and did not
deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah." So they asked him, "What are you
then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He
answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to
those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am 'the
voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as
Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you
are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize
with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is
coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in
Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I
did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he
might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the
Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know
him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see
the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy
Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
The Call of Paul
Acts 9:1-19
Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,
that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring
them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a
light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard
a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who
are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up
and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice
but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes
he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.
For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. There was a
disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision,
"Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go
to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from
Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and (in a vision) he has seen a man
named Ananias come in and lay (his) hands on him, that he may regain his sight."
But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what
evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has
authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name." But
the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry
my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what he will
have to suffer for my name."
Prayer for the Sharing of the Gospel
by Saint Guido Maria Conforti
Eternal God, Creator of all things,
We remember
that You alone created all peoples,
forming them in Your image and likeness.
We recall the sacrifice of Your Son,
Jesus Christ,
who suffered for them, sharing His life.
We pray that Jesus
may be known everywhere.
By the prayers of this community,
mindful of Your Mercy and Love,
may all peoples come to know Jesus Christ,
whom You sent,
Your Son and our companion.
He is our Salvation, Life and Resurrection,
to whom is all glory forever.
Amen.
The Next Step
Our Webs - Blog
Saint Guido M
Catholic Global
RSS Feed 
Email us
