“Jesus said:

‘…But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,

as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has driven out all his own,

he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,

because they recognize his voice.

…A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.’”

This weekend is the 60th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Although there are many vocations, or callings from God, in our lives, according the the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life.” It is a focus on praying to “the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). It is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. That title actually comes from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, which contains the same images in today’s Gospel from Luke, but adds, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In addition to the sheep knowing and following the voice of the shepherd and finding abundant life through him, it adds that the life of a shepherd is in service to the sheep, even to the point of death on a cross. Jesus is the good shepherd and those that follow a call to ordained, religious, consecrated, or missionary life are to emulate the good shepherd. 

It is Jesus who calls. It wasn’t until I encountered Jesus and realized he wanted to be a part of every area of my life, not just an important part of my life or even the most important part of my life, that I started to think God might have an opinion about what I should do with my life. I began to ask and to listen. I was surprised, even a bit dismayed, to find the idea of priesthood rising to the surface. It was not my idea or plan. God was persistent and I recognized his voice. It took me a while to believe it, accept it, and follow it, but Jesus called and I responded (haltingly, slowly, and conditionally, but I trusted). Jesus calls to each and every one of us, in some way or another. We should all ask and listen. Lord, what do you want me to do with my life? Then, listen for the voice of the good shepherd. 

Responding by trusting God’s voice is only the beginning of discernment. The journey is only taken one step at a time. An initial call is not a fiat accompli, or accomplished fact. It is an invitation to step out in trust to see where the Lord will lead. A willingness to follow leads to the next step. For me, in an imperfect analogous way, going to seminary (twice) was like dating the priesthood. It was an exclusive (or tried to be) focus on the relationship: was I a good fit for priesthood, was priesthood a good fit for me, could I live a happy life as a priest, could I be healthy, did I grow, was I challenged and supported, was I fulfilled? These and many more questions were posed. There is great freedom, true freedom, at each step. Nothing is predetermined. I continued to listen, left when I needed to leave, and returned when I needed to return. I continued to listen for God’s voice. I continue to listen for God’s voice. I recognize it when I hear it (usually) and follow where he leads (imperfectly). God is calling you, in some way in some direction. Ask the question. Listen for his voice. You will recognize it when you hear it.