Discernment Series Part 5 - Our Primary Vocation

Fr. Himes reminds us that we have a deeper calling into which the questions we have been examining come together.  Fr. Himes reminds us that these questions draw us to a deeper calling- to live an authentically human life.

The primary vocation for all of us is to be human. That is, to be as intelligent, responsible, free, courageous, imaginative, generous and loving as we can possibly be.

The primary vocation for all of us is to be human. That is, to be as intelligent, responsible, free, courageous, generous, imaginative and loving as we can possibly be.

What, then, is the embodiment of this truly human life? I imagine myself in the place of the early disciples, and the voice of Thomas in the Last Supper discourses rings true:  “Master, we do not know where we are going; how can we know the way?”

Jesus replies simply, directly: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Our human vocation is then given form in the life of a carpenter from Nazareth who ultimately lives in pursuit of His Father’s kingdom. Looking upon Christ fully living and teaching our human vocation, He encourages us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… for I am with you.”

This weekend, set aside some time to pray. Spend some time in silence mulling over the thoughts and feelings surrounding your next steps.

If you have not yet watched the Fr. Himes’ reflections, the link to the full video is below. His final reflection provides an important synthesis, and runs from 28:00-29:45. 

As our point of reflection this week, we ask you to think ahead to think of one person, or a few people, with whom you would like to have a conversation about the future.  Think of a few questions that you would like to ask them.   While there are questions that we must answer on our own in the process of discernment, relying on the support of others can help us to walk this path more authentically. 

Patient Trust

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something
unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through
some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you;
your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on,
as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances
acting on your own good will)
will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.

—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ
excerpted from Hearts on Fire