In the Catholic Church on the Fourth Sunday of Easter Vocations’ Sunday is celebrated in the Liturgical Calendar. This is a time to pray for priests and religious in a special way and that more people would choose this way of life. Some years ago a friend of mine recommended me the popular best-selling book ‘What Colour is Your Parachute?: A practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers‘ by Richard N. Bolles. It was a few years after my undergraduate degree and I was a bit ‘stuck’ in my career direction at the time. The book was a wise investment and I have dipped in and out of it over the years.
According to Boles “For many of us, the job hunt offers a chance to make some fundamental changes in our whole life. It marks a turning point in how we live our life. It gives us a chance to ponder and reflect, to extend our mental horizons, to go deeper into the sub-soil of our soul…We want to find that special joy, ‘that no one can take from us’, which comes from having a sense of Mission in our life. We want to feel we were put here on Earth for some special purpose, to do some unique work that only we can accomplish..Mission has always been a religious concept…and historically has two major synonyms: Calling and Vocation…Both imply God. To be given a Vocation or Calling implies Someone who calls.”1
The word Vocation in the Catholic tradition is often associated with taking vows in the Sacrament of Holy Orders to live as a religious in a celibate way of life, but there are other Vocations, namely to Married Life and to the Single Life. Many people find happiness through the Sacrament of Marriage and the familial bonds which are manifested through it; while others, even if they may not initially choose it, live out their vocation in the single life. All vocations have a purpose and a mission. Christians, are called by virtue of baptism, to be missionary disciples – sharing the good news of the Gospel with one another, to meet Jesus in our brothers and sisters.
Last Christmas I received a gift of a mug with a particularly poignant inspirational message – specially chosen for me – ‘It’s not the journey or the destination, it’s who you run with’. I like this message because for me it can have a sporting and spiritual meaning. Firstly, in terms of my favourite pastime, running, it speaks to me about how I find inspiration through the people in my running club who encourage me and help me to embrace the joy of running. Secondly, the message speaks to me of the spiritual journey – to ‘run with Jesus’ the race of life – striving to find solace and peace in the present moment, to let go of the past, to live in the present and not worry too much about the future.
I firmly believe that God has always been calling me in my life. As I emerged from my young adult years I had a more definite sense of the Holy Spirit’s promptings to use my gifts. I’ve been fortunate in my career to have had the opportunity to work in the not for profit, public and private sectors, and to develop my interests in communications, chaplaincy and the Irish language. While my life journey has encompassed ups and downs, joys and sorrows, thrills and pain – I can honestly say that looking back with a discerning and grateful heart – I would have it no other way. I feel blessed that I have had some joyful missionary experiences through the Catholic Church and there has been plenty of fun and adventure along the way. I’m also grateful for the mercy and healing of God through past difficulties. That healing has helped make me whole again and place the future firmly in God’s hands. My hopes and my dreams are to be happy, to strive to live my best life, to live life to the full and to communicate Good News!
- Bolles, Richard N. “What Colour is Your Parachute?: A practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers, 2005 Edition” Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, Toronto; p. 291-292 ↩︎
