All calls from God in scripture present God in His majesty and mystery and man in what he really is, his fear and generosity, his power to resist or respond. Since accounts of vocation are so important in scripture, in God’s revelation of Himself, and in man’s salvation, God’s call must be a moment of singular importance.

Whenever God summons one, He sends him/her. A call is a direct summons in which God makes clear to man that he is chosen and destined man for a particular work in His plan of salvation and in the destiny of His people. A Divine choice is the basis of a call. Its purpose is to accomplish the divine will. The idea of calling, however, adds something to that of choice and the individual’s sense of moral responsibility. The call upsets the man’s existence, not merely in external fashion, but the inmost area of his beiing, for it makes him a different man.

A better indication of the fact that God is taking possession of and altering a man’s existence, God gives His chosen a new name. And God awaits a response to His appeal, a voluntary consent given in faith and obedience. Sometimes acceptance is instantaneous. But often man is gripped with fear and tries to shun the call which normally puts the one called apart from other men and makes him appear to be strange to his friends.

Thoughts from Fr. Stan,s.s.e.

Pretty heavy stuff, but it is true. We are all called to listen to God. To listen to God’s Word, we turn toward Him in the spirit of complete openness and receptivity, of complete love and trust. The active commitment to the person of Jesus is what gives us life. Coming to life through believing is the very reason the Father sent Jesus and why Jesus came: that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

God calls some of us to lead and help the family of God to listen to Jesus by becoming Edmundites. Some are called to dedicate themselves wholly to the Kingdom. Some are called to be priests and religious so that the Eucharist, the source of our unity, may continue to transform us into the Kingdom of God.

Priests and religious gather the family of God together as a brotherhood and sisterhood enlivened by the one spirit. We need priests and religious to help keep alive the obligation of fraternity as a form of witness to the Trinity, the life of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

I challenge you today to put yourself at the service of the gospel. Live the Eucharist and make progress in love of God and neighbor. Do this as married couples. Do this as families. Do this as a single person. And as a young person ask the question, is God calling me to be an Edmundite religious or priest.

As a young person I ask you to consider becoming consecrated persons who go against the current, living poverty, chastity and obedience and give witness as a prophet to Christ and his message of salvation.

Its only when we answer our call from God to be actively committed to Jesus that we will discover the grace and peace of the Resurrection. Drop me a note at sderesienski@smcvt.edu and let’s look at what the next step is in your journey of faith. Shalom.