CHAPTER 1

VOCATION IN GENERAL

THEO 500
CHRISTIAN VOCATION & FULFILLMENT

Earl Alexi B. Garsula

Theology 500 Teacher
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the chapter, the students are expected:

4
To point out and assess the
To describe the nature, characteristics,
elements, movements and the stages of
growth of Christian vocation.
1 ideological threats to Christian
vocation.

2 3
To identify the primary and To infer the stage/s of growth in
specific vocation of every their vocation journey.
Lay Faithful.
 ETYMOLOGY OF VOCATION

VOCACION
… a Call / Consecration /
Profession

VOCATIONEM / VOCATIO /
VOCATUS
…Calling / Being Called

VOCARE
…To Call
Vocation is to sound off the
call on a person being called
VOCIS / VOX
…Voice, To speak to a particular calling or
profession.
The story of God
calling Samuel
At that time, Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying
down in his room, and Samuel was lying in the temple of
the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called,
"Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I
am, for you called me." Eli replied, "I did not call; lie
down again." This happened two more times. After the
third call, Eli realized it was the Lord calling Samuel and
instructed him to respond with, "Speak, Lord, for your
servant is listening." When the Lord called again, Samuel
responded as instructed.
There are many lessons about vocation in this story.

First, Samuel is confused about who is calling him; he

mistakes the Lord's voice for a human one. He needs help
recognizing the Lord's voice in his life. Similarly, we might
hear the Lord but confuse it with someone else's voice,
seeking meaning elsewhere. Later, we’ll discuss how to
recognize the Lord’s voice.
Second, the Lord continues to call Samuel, even when he
doesn’t recognize the voice. Despite Samuel's initial
confusion, the Lord's call remains consistent. This
consistency offers us solace, reminding us that if the Lord
calls us once, He always calls us.
The Call of
Matthew
This call is special because it leads us into a discussion of primary, secondary,
and even tertiary vocations. Lets look at these distinctions after we read the
story of the call of Matthew. Comprising just one verse in the Gospel of
Matthew, this call is very important. Matthew 9:9 reads “As Jesus was
walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he
said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” There is a lot we
can get out of this simple verse. First, Matthew was sitting at a tax booth.
This means that Matthew was a tax collector, a traitor in the eyes of the
Jewish people. Why is this important? Jesus seeks out and calls one who the
Jewish people looked down upon, one who they thought would not be worthy.
First, Matthew was sitting at a tax booth. This means
that Matthew was a tax collector, a traitor in the eyes of
the Jewish people. Why is this important? Jesus seeks
out and calls one who the Jewish people looked down
upon, one who they thought would not be worthy.
So, whether or not we think we are worthy or not
does not matter to Jesus Christ. He calls us. When
we sin, he calls us; when we ignore him, he calls us;
when we least expect it, he calls us. Our vocation, our
call from the Lord is always there, to everybody.
The second thing to gather from this story is
even more important. The call, the vocation of
Matthew is quite simple. It is the primary
vocation of every Christian: “Follow me.”
 VOCATION

SECULAR CONTEXT RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

1. A vocation is an occupation to which a person is 1. The idea of vocation is central to the Christian belief
especially drawn or for which they are suited, that God has created each person with gifts and
trained, or qualified. talents oriented toward specific purposes and a way
2. People can be given information about a new Click icon to add picture of life.
occupation through student orientation. 2. In the broadest sense, as stated in the Catechism of
the Catholic Church, "Love is the fundamental and
3. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, innate vocation of every human being" (CCC 2392).
the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.
THE SEVEN ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VOCATION

7. FREE AND VOLUNTARY

God respects one’s freedom.

1. INVITATIONAL 6. LOVE-MOTIVATED
Vocation is a divine action, a Vocation is love serves.
divine initiative.

2. PERSONAL 5. SELF-GIVING
The initiative of God to call VOCATION Vocation is essentially a generous
is addressed in particular to act of giving our whole self for
a single person. God and for others.

3. REVELATIONAL 4. BEAUTIFUL AND

Vocation expresses and FULFILLING
Vocation is aimed at what is best for us
discloses who you are. since God knows us best.
THE 5 THEOPHANIES OF
GOD
1 KINGS 19:11-13
01 02
STILL SMALL HUMAN
VOICE FROM CONCERNS AND
PARKER PALMER WITHIN INTERESTS
Lay Theologian

FREDERICK BUECHNER 05 THE VOICES

Lay Theologian LIFE’S
OF GOD 03
CIRCUMSTANCES
PASSION FOR
HUMAN
GERARD MANLEY EXCELLENCE
HOPKINS (Jesuit Poet)
04
HUMAN
JOHN 21:18 / MARK 5:41 ENCOUNTERS
THE THREE MOVEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN VOCATION

1 A CALL FROM

2 A CALL FOR

3 A CALL TO
2 INTERNAL ELEMENTS OF VOCATION

01 A GOOD INTENTION
AND A FIRM WILL
To live the way of life one
desires
To make use of the means
necessary to pursue that
intention.
QUALITIES AND
CAPABILITIES 02
STAGES OF GROWTH IN CHRISTIAN VOCATION

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3

WONDER AT JESUS DISCIPLESHIP APOSTOLIC

MISSION
• Curiosity • A student /learner • Engage in the Ministry
• Wonder • Docility to learn • Agent of Change
• Amazement • Personal Encounter
3 DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VOCATION

• To be holy / saint
• To know, love, and serve God
UNIVERSAL
VOCATION
01
02 • Permanent and freely chosen
way of life
PRIMARY • Single Blessed Life, Married
VOCATION life, Ordained Life,
Consecrated life
SECONDARY
VOCATION

03 • The use of gifts and talents in

the service of God and others
• Career / Profession
• Community Involvement
 4 TYPES OF PRIMARY VOCATION (STATE OF LIFE)

ORDAINED LIFE SINGLE BLESSED LIFE

A call to ordained life, Single life can provide the
whether in a diocese or in a fulfilment of participating in
religious community, is a God’s plans for humanity.
calling to serve God and his
people.

CONSECRATED LIFE MARRIED LIFE

Consecrated Religious Life Marriage is a specific way to
goes beyond personal choice live out the universal call to
and arises from a willingness to holiness received by all
devote oneself entirely to Christians in the sacrament of
discipleship. Baptism.
IDEOLOGICAL THREATS TO CHRISTIAN VOCATION

1 2 3
DUALISM MATERIALISM INDIVIDUALISM
DICHOTOMY OF THE SUCCESS, HAPPINESS, EACH PERSON
SECULAR AND THE AND PERSONAL ULTIMATELY OPERATES
SACRED, THE PUBLIC FULFILLMENT DERIVE IN THE WORLD
AND THE PRIVATE FROM FINANCIAL AND INDEPENDENT OF
MATERIAL RESOURCES OTHERS
Group Sharing
1.Have you given any thought to your initial
choice of vocation?

2.What challenges do you encounter when

choosing your vocation?

3.How do you overcome the challenges you faced

in choosing your vocation?