Vocational discernment is a fundamental stage in a person’s life, a stage everyone should pass through. Every created thing has a specific goal, and it is precisely this which gives meaning to its existence: this is true of the creatures of God just as it is of human inventions.
“What is it? What is it good for?” are two questions that we ask when we see something and don’t know its function. If we think about the simplest objects of daily life, each one has a purpose and particular goal; a fork is not a cup, a towel is not a chair. Wouldn’t it be foolish to drink water with a fork? There are different things, different creations, different purposes and functions.
All these things, however, while they contribute to our day-to-day lives, are perishable things that sooner or later will pass away. But the human being is the pinnacle of God’s creation: how great and important must the mission be which the Lord has in mind for each one of us?! Only this mission will give the full meaning to our brief existence on this earth!
“He has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in [Christ] as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth” (Eph 1:9-10).
This passage reflects on the project to “sum up all things in Christ!” – every person’s mission will always pass through the imitation of Christ. “For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps” (1Pet 2:21), each one according to the degree of his or her gift and calling. And what about you? How much are you ready to give?
I will conclude with a short meditation from our founder, who says that we are all like pilgrims on this earth: “Pilgrim,” he says, “ remember that you are born and you die to do two things: to believe in God and to do His Will. Everything else is vanity.” This is the meaning of our lives!
--Sr. CMC