The Pattern of a Vocation
First there is the Call!
Then the Discovery of the Call!
And finally the Response!
First there is the Call!
Then the Discovery of the Call!
And finally the Response!
In the Gospel for last Sunday, Mark (10:46-52)
tells the story of Jesus on his final journey from Jericho to Jerusalem with
his disciples. A blind man, Bartimaeus,
sitting on the side of the road, hears that it is Jesus of Nazareth coming by,
and cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stops and says, “Call him.” Then the disciples called to him, “Take
courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He sprang up, throwing aside his cloak and came to Jesus. Jesus says to him, “What do you want me to do
for you?” “Dear Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus tells him, “Go your way; your
faith has saved you.” Immediately he
receives his sight and instead of going his way, he follows Jesus on His Way,
becoming a disciple.
The story of Bartimaeus discovering his Call
as a disciple of Jesus is so clear in this Gospel.
Each of us has
a similar story of our call, our vocation.
On Sunday October 18, our Benedictine
Oblates had the opportunity in our Reflection time, to consider their call to
be an Oblate as a vocation. Just as God
calls some persons to be monastics, others are called to live the monastic practices in their everyday
life, as an Oblate We listed many of these:
- awareness of silence;
- daily duties well done;
- simplicity;
- solitude in prayer;
- obedience to God and God’s agents on the way;
- humility;
- respect of persons and all God’s creation;
- hospitality;
- stability to this family;
- being open to wisdom;
- seeking God;
- preferring nothing to the love of Christ.
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| St. Walburg Monastery Benedictine Oblates October 2015 |
Oblates offer themselves to God to live these
practices. Oblation
means offering self to God. It is a
continual work to live this life well.
We need the support of others on this journey.
In quiet prayer each of the Oblates
reflected on his/her call; discovery of the call; and the response. Then they
all had time to share their stories with the others around the table. This was the first time that many of them
have taken time to reflect on their call and share it. They found the experience very meaningful. Following this time, the Oblates assembled in
Chapel with the Sisters for Noon Day Prayer, which included the Ritual of Renewing
their Oblation as an Oblate of St. Benedict with this Benedictine community. Together we are travelers on
the way to everlasting life in union with Jesus.
On Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate
with all the saints in heaven and on earth, those who follow Jesus on the way.
Sr. Mary Tewes, OSB
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ReplyDeleteGrateful to see all the oblates and I am humbled to count myself in their number. Being a Benedictine Oblate has given depth, greater meaning, and joy to my journey.
ReplyDeleteDear Sister thank you for this strong word -- I am still learning my Christianity and I found a great strength here taught in the prayer of Bartimaeus υιε δαυιδ ιησου ελεησον με = uie David iesou eleeson me = Jesus son of David have mercy on me! Bartimaeus is teaching us the great prayer for each one of us. Thank you, God bless.
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