The "-eals" of Vocations
by Riley Williams

What characteristics should one who is discerning a religious calling cultivate? While there are certainly many answers to this question, below are three things (which conveniently rhyme with each other) which I have found helpful in my own discernment; I hope they will be of some assistance to you as well.

“Ideal” Everyone in life should have ideals. The Christian is always called to greater holiness, which is an ideal. The supreme ideal is Christ, after Whom all are called to model themselves but particularly those who wish to give their lives to Him in service. To hold to an ideal is not easy; oftentimes in our striving we can stumble or be otherwise hindered in our attainment of it, but the important thing is to always, with the help of God, get up and start again.

“Real” Balancing the “ideal” is the “real.” While these two words are often seen as opposites they can also complement each other. While striving for our ideals we must always keep in mind the situation in which we are, which will affect how we accomplish what we set out to do; this is called “prudence,” which the Church sees as a virtue. In other words, let your reason guide you in the pursuit of your ideals. For example, while you may not be able to attend Mass everyday (an ideal), there’s usually nothing standing in the way of daily scripture reading and personal prayer.

“Zeal” Driving the above two attitudes should be a healthy zeal. We should enter into our life with Christ not with a spirit of resignation but rather one of excitement. For example, don’t see celibacy in the terms of what you lose, but rather what you gain- the ability to give your entire self to Christ and His people for the greater glory of God. Whenever we see an opportunity to spread the Gospel we should take it. Just as man in the parable sells all he has to buy a field with a great treasure in it (Mt. 13:44), so we should be ready to give up our all for God.