January "Theme Support" #1

Amigos,

During the month of January, our theme will be "vocation." As I did with our last them of "reconciliation," I will post (and email you) several "Theme Support" messages each week. These messages will be brief, informative teachings on the theme for the month. Please take the time to read them; they will help our Friday discussions and reflections to be much richer and will help you to grow in the knowledge of your Catholic faith. If you have questions about the theme or the support messages, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Vocation - "Theme Support" # 1

The word vocation (L. vocare) means "to call." In the simplest terms then, your vocation is what God calls you to do with your life. Within each person's vocation, there are really two types: a universal (general) vocation and a particular (personal) vocation.

Universal Vocation

Every person is called by God to know, love and serve him in this life and to be with him eternally in the next. This is the universal vocation of every human person. How do we respond to this universal vocation? The very first step is to follow the Ten Commandments.

"The precepts of the Ten Commandments lay the foundations for the vocation of man fashioned in the image of God; they prohibit what is contrary to the love of God and neighbor and prescribe what is essential to it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1962).

In order to know your own personal vocation and reach the perfection of love, you must first be living faithfully your universal vocation - the Ten Commandments. If you are not living the Ten Commandments of God, you are refusing to love God. Jesus said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14: 15).

This week, examine your own life. Are you living your universal vocation? Are you living in the love of God? Are you keeping the Ten Commandments? 

1. I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.