4th Sunday of Easter - Year C

Each one of us is called to make many choices throughout our lives, but not all choices carry the same weight. Certainly, one of the most important decisions we make in life is that concerning our state in life or vocation. This Sunday is dedicated to prayer for vocations. But what exactly is a vocation, and what is the difference between a vocation and a career?

The word vocation means a calling. Anyone who truly believes in God must also believe that no one knows us better than God does—not even we ourselves. We remember only parts of our past, we know something of the present, and the future is completely hidden from us. In fact, each of us can probably say that we remain something of a mystery even to ourselves. So it’s clear that no one knows us better than the One before whom nothing is hidden. And not only that—no one loves us more than He does. Human love, no matter how great, is always limited, fragile, and subject to error. But the same cannot be said for God’s love.

Therefore, anyone who truly wants what’s best for themselves, for their children, and for those they love, must bring God into the picture—especially when it comes to choosing their state in life or, better said, their vocation. We can say that a vocation and a career can sometimes refer to the same path—for example, someone becoming a doctor. But while a career is something a person chooses on their own, a vocation is a response to a call from God. And if no one knows me or loves me like God does, then whatever He calls me to is surely what’s best for me—and for many others through me.

Today, however, we are praying especially for priestly, religious, and missionary vocations. In the first reading, we saw Paul and Barnabas preaching the Word of God. The Lord had not only called them to follow Him, but also to be sent out as apostles. This doesn’t mean that their mission was easy or comfortable—but they didn’t lose heart. Even though at first things seemed like failure—many of the Jews not only rejected them but actively tried to hinder them—God drew great good from it, because they turned to the Gentiles, who received the Word with great joy.

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me… I give them eternal life.”Let us pray—and not just today—that many may hear the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow Him, so that many may find the path that leads to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, we ask you to continue calling many to follow You as priests, religious, and missionaries. Lord, You know that especially in our times, it is not easy for someone to leave everything and follow You. So we pray especially for those You are calling: that they may not lose heart, and that they may believe that You can offer them what the world cannot—the peace of heart, a life full of meaning (though not without crosses), and above all, eternal life, both for themselves and for many others through their witness. Amen.