Posted on 02/17/2005 7:51:34 AM PST by NYer
A vocation is a calling from God. This vocation may be a calling to the priesthood, to the religious life, to marriage, or to the single life. God calls us to serve Him in the best possible way through our vocation. When God created the universe and created us in His image, His will was instilled within us. Through prayer, we discover the reality of what God is asking of us. Despite the fall of our first ancestors, we do indeed have salvation by God’s wonderful grace and justice. We are dead in sin but alive in God, who is Father, Christ, and the Spirit! Therefore we ought to live the life that God is calling us to live, through the life of the risen Lord. It is through our calling that we can, in a sense, become like God. Through our calling we find out who we are, and find the Love of the father, embracing us, as His children.
“All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 836).
We are called to help bring about unity for the children of God. We are called to follow Christ’s apostolic mission to take Christ’s teachings to the farthest ends of the earth. When Jesus called His disciples, their professions ranged from tax collector to fishermen. God calls people from all walks of life! We must answer this call given to us so we can continue to teach that Christ came to save all of mankind. This paragraph of the CCC teaches that Christ indeed will call us to Him, to do as He commands. Priests take vows, plain and simple. Some only take vows of celibacy and obedience to a bishop. Others make vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience. These vows help the clergy and religious to better dedicate themselves to God’s service. Some may question whether they are called to this way of life, but with God, we can come to a better understanding of His calling.
Christ was the first priest, the High Priest. It is because of His Priesthood that we can find God’s infinite mercy and grace whenever we need it. Because Christ established the Holy Priesthood, it shall always stand strong, for with God all things are possible!
In my opinion, this is the turning point at which we must leave our current life, to live a better life with Christ. Jesus found no glory in being a High Priest, because it was His mission established by the Father. When we are called by Christ, we should be able to say “Today I have renounced my will and accepted Christ's will for His name's sake.” To be an earthly high priest you needed to be born from the tribe of Levi. But Jesus was born from the tribe of Judah, so He can't be a Priest, right? Wrong. What the writer meant was that there is a higher order of priesthood, the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7). Jesus is from a higher order than the earthly priesthood. Priests are men of prayer. Their prayer consists of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, (Eucharistic Celebration), the Liturgy of the Hours, and other prayers of the Church. God hears our prayers, and we must also pray that He will save us from eternal punishment.
When ordained to the priesthood, the priest becomes a second Christ. He then continues Christ’s apostolic mission, and brings about His presence on earth, through the hands that consecrate the host which becomes God. Also, by forgiving sins in the name of God, the priest acts in the person of Christ, administering a sacrament that Christ Himself established.
When one considers his or her vocation, the individual has to understand that he or she does not choose to be a priest or religious, but has been chosen.
Christ was perfect and therefore capable of becoming the author of salvation through His death on a cross, His resurrection, and all that He stood for. We must follow in His footsteps, whether that is as a priest, a religious, a married or a single person. In all aspects of life we must give God glory and honor. In prayer we stand strong and come to a better understanding of who we are, because we are made in His image and likeness. The question now is, are we ready to give up everything to follow Christ?
Prayers for Eddie. He will make a fine priest.
**A vocation is a calling from God. This vocation may be a calling to the priesthood, to the religious life, to marriage, or to the single life.**
To the diaconate!
We had a speaker on the Eucharist last night! What passion and love he expressed for the Holy Eucharist. I was nearly in tears )definitely all choked up!)
One of the points he stressed is that the priest who is saying the Mass and consecrating the Eucharist is --
the representative of Christ on earth (through his consecration during the Sacrament of HOLY ORDERS) and should be viewed by us (and all in the congregation/parish in such a light.
With young men, like Eddie, approaching the priesthood, I believe we will see that change in the future.
The Holy Father has chosen the perfect moment to draw our attention to the Holy Eucharist.
Hello,
I googled my name, and saw both Catholic Exchange and this site came up with my vocations article. So I thought I'd register and intro myself.
I have felt called to the priesthood for quite a while now, and I'm looking into what order I'm to be with. I think I will join our diocese, but I am looking into the Legion of Christ.
Anyways, I'm launching a new website, http://www.avemarisstella.com
and if you'd like to subscribe to my publications emails, email, newsletter@avemarisstella.com
Peace of Christ be with you always!
Eddie Lee (Founder of AMS Publications)
p.s. I really appreciate the prayers! I need them more than ever at this time.
Welcome to Free Republic!
Your story was such an inspiration! Praying for vocations is one thing; to actually meet someone who has responded to that prayer offers us reassurance and comfort. The church, especially at the parish level, needs good men, with solid formation, to guide us on the path to eternal salvation. My prayers for you, Eddie, as you begin your journey.
You called him to the holy call of your lordship:
may he be the steward of your divine mysteries,
a chosen priest and a trustworthy leader;
a teacher wise in all virtue for the sake of your flock;
a ministering priest, alert and diligent,
to whom you entrusted the keys of the heavenly kingdom,
that he may open the doors of repentance
to those who are brought back to you;
a praiseworthy priest,
who increases the evangelical talent
thirty, sixty and one hundred fold;
a chosen priest, who is concerned with keeping your divine precepts.
From the ordination liturgy in the Maronite Catholic Rite
(P.S. - now that you have registered, drop by the Religion Forum whenever you're in the neighborhood. It's a good excercise in catholic apologetics.)
Pax et Bonum
My pleasure, prayers are going up!
Wow! Did you get a new scanner?
Thank you all for your prayers!
As I launch my new website tomorrow, along with doing an interview on Saturday to promote my ministry, I know God is doing a lot! Who would of thunk it!
Thank you all for your prayers.
I will post more once I'm done with my speach for Honors Speach. It's on Euthanasia, the Terri Schivio case.
Peace,
Eddie Lee (Founder of AMS) http://www.avemarisstella.com
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