‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch’

The word “vocation” means a “call” and it presumes someone calling and someone called. As Catholics, of course, we identify “the caller” as God himself. In our faith, we believe that God has a plan for each of us and that God calls us, invites us to consider that plan and, hopefully, accept it. Different from merely a job, a “vocation” is all-encompassing, requiring a free and willing response and total commitment to the One who calls and to what is asked of us in that call.
 
 Married life and the love of husbands and wives is such a vocation. Religious/consecrated life in its many forms is such a vocation. The single lay state is such a vocation. And the ordained ministry as deacons and priests is such a vocation.

“The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a ‘cage’ or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon of a great sea and an abundant catch…

“We are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives. Gazing out at the vast ‘ocean’ of vocation, we cannot remain content to repair our nets on the boat that gives us security but must trust instead in the Lord’s promise” (Pope Francis, Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2019).
 
 Profound and insightful words that are worth repeating! The Catholic Church in the United States “casts our nets” once more as we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov, 2-8. The Diocese of Trenton and all its parishes should foster, promote and pray for all these “vocations” – or “states in life,” as we used to call them – in every way and as often as possible, so that the faithful can see their lives as generous and loving responses to a generous and loving God.

As Bishop of the Diocese, I have a special responsibility to encourage young men to consider a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, although I certainly encourage a prayerful and generous response to all vocations mentioned above. Priests are, as the Rite of Ordination to Holy Orders makes abundantly clear, the bishop’s principal “collaborators” in ministerial service to God’s people.

Photo credit: Getty image