THE CALL

We often hear that there is a call or vocation to the priesthood or married life. The only real call from God is from grace to grace, from holiness to holiness."

God's call goes on and on. There is no rest. He calls us from one command to another, from one suffering to the next, from one hardship to another, from one persecution to another. And God's purpose is to justify us more and more. 

When Christ said, "Follow Me," this was not a stagnant command. He was walking when He said this. he bids us, "Follow Him," with His hands, eyes and voice. Thus, the Apostles are said to have walked with Christ.

The call of God comes when we receive a knowledge of some of His Truths. Within the truth is a realization of a duty which is, in fact, a command that calls for our obedience. God calls us through this duty inherent in His truths. 

We see St. Paul realizing his duty through the Truth revealed to him by Christ; and he obeyed. We see the young rich man who was told what his duty was, what his call was, but he disobeyed. 

John Henry Newman

(10-18-02)