Vocation and Mission
The Gospel narrative John 12: 20 starts with the story of some Greeks requesting to see Jesus. Instead of welcoming the opportunity to spread his Gospel beyond the Jews he (Jesus) answers ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’. Then he proceeds to give the parable of the grain of wheat. It is as if he takes the request as a signal he has arrived at the climax of his ministry. In Matt 15: 24 he had said ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’.
Jesus knew the scope of his ministry while he walked on earth, and he stuck to it. He understood the bigger mission ‘building the Kingdom of God’ and he knew his role. After his resurrection he would send out the apostles to preach to the ends of the world and he would send St Paul to specifically preach to the gentiles (non-Jews). But he was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
This is such a powerful lesson to us. So often we run this way and that, hither and thither, trying to do everything. Jesus is telling us we each have a specific ministry in the bigger mission. Stay with it. Recently, I was reflecting on the role of St Joseph, foster father, chaste spouse and worker. He stuck to his role and has become the most important saint after the Virgin Mary.
This is important in ministry and in career development. We each have a vocation. This vocation may adjust as we grow older. At each stage of our vocation, stay with your role. At a stage of my life - I focused on my role as spouse and active father and I earned a living as a business executive and consultant.
Today, Sandee and I are empty nesters. I still have a role as father and grandfather but the emphasis has changed. I am now a deacon and Sandee a ministry leader, and I earn a living through spiritual publishing and speaking. This gospel narrative challenges me to stay true to my vocation at present.
As we develop our role as spouse, parent, minister and career officer we use a combination of education, talents, and experience. We leverage these gifts from God and use them at the different stages, in different ways, to build the kingdom of God on earth. We stay true to our role and station in life. We stay true to our vocation and its development through our life stages.
How can we stay true to our vocation at each life stage? Abba, through our Lord Jesus Christ, please give us the grace, courage and patience to embrace our ministry within the bigger mission of Building the Kingdom of God on earth.