Vocation…. Priest? No ways!

Vocation…. Priest? No ways!

The word vocation comes from the Latin word vocare which means “to call”. No sooner we hear the word vocation we associate it to priesthood. It’s true that it is God who calls us, but he has a different plan for each one of us. Imagine a word in which all are priests and nuns. This is not possible. The one common thing we share with all humanity is, our first calling, our basic vocation is to love. We carry out this calling in different ways some are called to be farmers, some teachers and some others doctors. Priesthood is one among many other vocations. Most likely the reason to narrow down the term vocation to just priesthood or religious life is because it’s God who calls. We interpret this calling as the calling to serve God and the best way according to many is by becoming priest or religious. All these vocations are equal, there is no superior and inferior. There is a difference between vocation and career. Vacation is living life for others where as career focuses on self. Vocation involves Gods intervention, career is totally human. Career is money oriented where as vocation is not. There are certain life choices that can be looked upon either as a career or as a vocation. What makes the difference is the attitude of the individual. How do we now whether we are following are vocation. Are you happy? A wise man would ask. Yes! If you are happy, that means you are on the right path but you may not be happy always. Apart from you being happy ask whether god and those I am serving are happy. You may always not get a positive response immediately it’s a process. Vocation is associated with passion. All this things about being happy on not is a complicated process or task. Now psychologist too offers us some solutions. We can go for various tests and find out our personality type which can in turn help us to follow our call. It’s true that something’s we are passionate amount my not help us to have a royal lifestyle but it can give us what nothing on earth can give that is happiness.

Nothing can be predetermined based on background or cast or class. Let us challenge our own limits and pursue our vocation.