Are we helping them to hear the call?
At times it seems there is a collective sigh going up from God’s people and a little moaning attached to the question: “Why aren’t there more vocations in the church today?” Everyone has a call. God is certainly inviting some to marriage, some to single life, some to vowed life as a religious sister or brother in apostolic service, some to priesthood, and yes, some to the monastic way.
God has not stopped calling. We acknowledge there are generous men and women seeking to know God’s will in their lives. We sense there is something amiss – perhaps lacking. And we wonder what to do.
Allow me to invite you to consider what kind of environment we want to create to support those who are discerning a call and those saying ‘yes’ to their call. As we determine the environment most conducive to helping the discerners, we may also wish to identify some areas for needed change in the community of believers that will foster the more deliberate engagement in the process of call and response that will see the church blossom with all the variety of vocations that build up the body of Christ.
Here are some areas for consideration:
- prayer
- education
- support, understanding, encouragement
- friendly conversation
- good companioning
- the wisdom of those already living that particular vocation
- trust in God and those whom God provides on the journey
- a broader church attuned to nurturing
Here are a few ideas for reflection on each of these areas:
1) Praying for vocations and those in discernment seems logical, but are we doing it or simply talking about doing it?
2) Asking folks to ask themselves the question – what does God want me to do? Can be important not to persuade a person to take a particular path but to show that there are options. We need to teach that vocation and career/profession are not the same.
3) Everyone needs and deserves support as they explore how to go forward in life. Without meaning to, we can convey that we don’t consider valuable the choice of religious life or priesthood. Think of the understanding and encouragement you received (or did not receive) as you followed your own path. If what you received was favorable, do the same. If it was not favorable, don’t repeat it.
4) A little friendly conversation can go a long way to helping someone on the cusp of an important lifetime decision. What is the way to speak with someone telling you they believe God might be calling them to serve God’s family in the church?
5) Such good conversation opens out into good companioning. Let the person feel comfortable doing what they’re doing and being who they are and walk with them.
6) The wisdom available from a person who is content living his/her own call from God is invaluable. Am I too hurried to share my joy, peace, sense of gratitude that I have found the right path to God for me?
7) Are we a church that attends to the ones who are making vocation choices and offers them the resources and tools they need, as well as our prayers and encouragement?
At Mepkin we invite those exploring a call to visit a number of times, pray with us, speak with the appropriate members of the community, and share our life. Two phrases to ponder: “You can’t know if the jacket fits until you try it on,” and “Just because it isn’t easy, doesn’t mean it isn’t right.”