Question

Firstly, describe how the Catholic Church understands lay vocations.

Secondly, reflect on the following prompt: The contemporary age focuses much on choosing one’s ‘career’. This is quite different from the idea of ‘vocation’, which involves a relationship with the world around the person, indeed even one’s relationship with truth itself. The Catholic Church emphasizes vocation in part because it asks the person to consider what gifts he/she has that could be used to build up the community and to respond to the call of the Creator. It involves great introspection and honesty regarding strengths and weaknesses. It involves the examination of conscience and an assessment of the world around.

Do you think primarily of career, or vocation, and why? Has this chapter changed anything for you?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church differentiates vocation and career as, those activities that an individual do to support their life which includes the welfare of themselves and the society is careerc and career is a worldly affair, whereas a vocation is calling from God which includes dedicating ones life for the purpose of God and using the talents for it. It is loving God and living a holy life.

Vocations are divided into four categories as single life, married life, consecrated life and a ordained ministery. Whatever vocation the individual chooses,the condition of each vocation is living a life that serves the purposes of God than the personal interests.

God's calling can be fulfilled choosing a career and a vocation. Choosing a vocation according to the talents and the calling, and supporting oneself to promote the will of God in life,leading a holy life with servitude that is based on loving God, fulfills both a career and a vocation need in one's life. A career is necessary for the progress and development of vocation as it would direct the talents for the progress and development of better communities. The necessary part of this is to raise from above one's own selfish interests while doing, and making God's love the central theme.For example- if we choose a family life as our vocation,it is necessary that we should have an appropriate means of life to support the needs of family so that they could be grown into the purpose of God in this world. Hence, both career and vocation is necessary to live a fruitful and virtuous life in God.