January 18, 2009

Pray daily to God to know your vocational call.

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” Samuel thought Eli was calling him. Eli eventually realized that God was calling Samuel, so he instructed Samuel how to respond to God’s call. Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” When Samuel was still a young boy, he had been offered to God by his mother who was grateful to God for giving her Samuel. He ministered at the temple in Shiloh with the priest Eli. (1 Samuel 3:3-10)

In this passage we learn about Samuel’s vocational call. He was to be one of the great prophets of Israel. We all have a vocational call. (A person’s vocation is different from a “career” which is what occupation we have, like being a doctor or teacher.) Because you are young, like Samuel, you are still figuring out what your vocational call is. Someday you will begin living your vocation by choosing to be either a married or single person, or choosing to become a religious sister, brother or priest.

Action:

Pray daily to God to know your vocational call. Talk with adults about your future vocation — how can you best serve God as a Christian? Ask them for help to identify your vocation. Do you feel you are being called to be a religious sister, brother or priest? Consider all the possibilities! Pray! Listen to God speaking within you, through your mind and your heart. Speak with and learn from adults who are happy as they live out their vocation.