The long sought after Christian 'vocation' is often expressed in the question 'What does God want me to do with my life?' And God answers, 'Exactly!' For the much sought after vocational direction in life is not found in letters after one's name (credentials); nor is it found in status, fame, power, or impressive self-presentation, but in the growing-struggling spirit which yearns to Love like God.
"Beloved, we love God because
he first loved us.
If anyone says, “I love God,”
but hates his brother, he is a liar;
for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen
cannot love God whom he has not seen.
This is the commandment we have from him:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:19-21
Today's Scripture readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011013.cfm
This means that our purpose, whether lay, religious, or ordained, is to comply with God's grace (within our struggling humanity) to Love Unconditionally, without prejudice, Universally, and in an Incarnate (personal) manner. This means loving the unlovable (as we are loved in our sinful nature), causing a transformation of both lover and beloved.
But St John says more:
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith." 1 John 5:1-4
The Pope's encyclical on charity: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html
And the only way to keep faithful in our struggle (sanctification) to Love Unconditionally, without prejudice, Universal, and Incarnate, is in discipleship (relationship) with Jesus Christ. And this begins with faith; faith which gives a Marian 'fiat' (yes) to God, in recognition of God's Unconditional and All-Powerful Love for us, precisely when we least deserve it.
What is the process of holiness called? Hint...sanctification: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06701a.htm
But two questions must be posed in light of our fallen human nature. First, what does this Love look like? And how can it be strengthened and sustained?
First, this Love, without concession, looks like the Ten Commandments (and the commandment of Jesus to Love God fully, and neighbor as self) obeyed. Yet it is filled up in breadth and depth of human reality, transformed by the grace of God, when it is fully realized in the Beatitudes of Jesus. For the 'what' of the Commandments are energized by the 'how' of the Spirit inspired Beatitudes in the 'why' of the Love of God, found in the Mercy of Jesus our Christ.
John Paul II, 'we are all called to holiness:' http://www.zenit.org/article-11281?l=english
Second, this transformative process is energized, perpetuated, and shared as Love through the Sacraments most intimate, and most repeatable, within the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), and the Most Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) are Divine Mercy and Life: Unconditional, without prejudice, Universal, and Incarnate!
Why we find the Saving Cross in the Sacraments: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c1a2.htm
Mercy and Life which save...and are meant to be shared...in the fullness of Love...in our vocation as Image of God.
Agree? tranz4mation@comcast.net
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