“He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” (Mark 1:39)

The theme for this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time is on our “vocation.” God calls everyone to be a witness for Christ, helping one another in His name, using his/her unique gifts, talents and blessings to serve God, fulfill His will, thus to glorify His name. Today’s readings remind us of our personal and corporate call to become witnesses for Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God” and to lead a life of holiness.

A vocation (Latin: vocātiō "a summon") is a calling to an occupation to which a person is specially drawn to or for which she/he is suited, trained, or qualified. It is referred firstly to the "call" by God to an individual or calling of all humankind to salvation, particularly in the Vulgate and more specifically to the "vocation" to the priesthood or to the religious life, which is still the usual sense in Roman Catholicism that recognizes four types of vocations: (1) marriage to a particular person, (2) single holy life, (3) consecration as a religious and (4) ordination to priestly ministry in the Church.

Vocation requires a process of deliberate and decisive maturation, wherein each day is accepted as an opportunity for renewed commitment, a deepening of faith and a greater responsibility. In order for growth to be steady, holy and wholesome, the Word of God must be allowed to speak to and be reflected in every aspect of the human experience.

At times the Word of God will pose a challenge to a particular decision, habit or lifestyle, and will provide the impetus for change and conversion. At other times, the Word of God will offer comfort and consolation, a source of courage and also chastisement when necessary.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we fulfill our vocation, bearing witness to Christ in our lives?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.