A vocation is God actively inviting - or calling - us to “share in his own blessed life.” In other words, God is calling us to a relationship with Him, and holiness means choosing to live and grow in that relationship. In the universal sense then, our vocation is holiness.

Having created us, God knows exactly how our particular gifts and passions can draw us and others closer to Him, and so our particular vocation will look a bit different from those around us. It’s in our particular vocation that we can find out how God is inviting us into a state of life where we can generously encounter the needs of others. A young woman who is gifted with compassion for the sick might be called to the consecrated life within a community of religious sisters who minister in a hospital. A young man who is gifted with leadership might be called to be the leader in a parish as a priest. A young woman or man who is gifted in teaching could be called to the married life to teach their children about the faith.

Just so we’re clear, we’re not talking about your occupation here. We’re talking about the state of life in which God can use you to bring others to heaven along with yourself.

Remember, since we are called to be in relationship with God and those around us, every vocation is about serving others. A great question to start the pursuit of your vocation is “What is the most generous thing I can do with my life?”

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you… plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
    -Jer. 29:11