Higher Vocation?

[Carolyn]

I have heard this debate before based upon Matthew 19: 10-12 ([url="http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew19.htm"]http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/matthew19.htm[/url]). At this time, it was being argued with the word, "better" and not "higher," and someone explained this by stating that one is not "better" than the other. Rather, one is "more perfect" than the other.

[cruciatacara]

Look at it this way - not everyone was an apostle, but Jesus didn't die just for them. Not everyone can be a religious, but not every religious can be a priest either, and that is an even higher calling - a sacrament that affects the soul. St Paul talked about the different parts of the body - some get more honor or glory than other parts, that might be humble or unseen, but the whole organism benefits from something good or it all suffers from something bad. We might all want to be the 'highest' but isn't that really the wrong way to be thinking about this kind of thing?

As for the whole rejected by God, feeling unloved thing - you are experiencing a real nasty 'lie' and deep, down inside, you know it. It just hurts right now but that's actually a time of great possibility to grow in trust and love. Try reading the actual words of Jesus in the gospels and get a feel again of just how much God loves each and every one of us - no one is so 'special' that God doesn't love them. Talk to Jesus one to one in private and let Him know how you are feeling, but then make an act of love and one of faith - telling Him that even though you can't feel it right now, you want to believe that He loves you and is taking care of you. It will help.

I'm sure you are in everyone's prayers too.

[BarbTherese]

God loves every single person to absolute abandon and no person more or less than any other. It is the person who may love God more than the next and independant of their vocation in life, or rather not because of their vocation in life per se. It is a mystery why some are called to the priesthood and religious life and others not called though it may be their most ardent desire to be called to the higher, better or more perfect state, whatever adjective we care to give it. The fact that we have many saints who were neither religious nor priests and many priests and religious who were not saints, tells us that it holiness and sanctity is not about the vocation or state in life to which we are called. It tells us that holiness and sanctity is about the response of the person to God and His Will, not God's particular vocation and call for a person............ or all saints would only be priests or religious.
It can be a tremendous suffering in life to desire to be a priest or religious and simply not have the vocation - and a suffering that asks heroic conformity and embracing of God's Will. The makings of saints!

What we can be sure about is that God loves every single last one of us to absolute abandon - even the most lost in the moral order. Each of us has a vital and unique part to play in The Mystical Body and a unique part that only the person can fulfill. Every single nun and religious, priest and saint would not have existed without the Sacrament of Marriage for example. Without marriage, the human race would be headed for non existence.

Edited August 27, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[BarbTherese]

As for the single celibate state:
[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32393"]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32393[/url]
"...................Throughout history the Church has fostered a celibate life in the lay state. Towering among the means of sanctity available to the laity, declared the Second Vatican Council, "is that precious gift of divine grace given to some by the Father to devote themselves to God alone more easily with an undivided heart in virginity or celibacy. This perfect continence for love of the kingdom of heaven has always been held in high esteem by the Church as a sign and stimulus of love, and as a singular source of spiritual fertility in the world" (Constitution on the Church, 42). "
[url="http://catholicexchange.com/2005/11/19/92623/"]http://catholicexchange.com/2005/11/19/92623/[/url]
"............Single vocation means that each person has a unique mission in life and that is why it is called single. The word single [Lat. [i]singulus[/i] (single)] means simple, unique. But it also means “unmarried.” Single men and women are called by God to serve the Church, the bride of Christ, to whom they are wedded from the moment they are baptized. Single vocation, therefore, means a unique call.

The Church needs lay Catholics who can dedicate themselves to their work and the spread of the Gospel while working in the world. Single laymen and laywomen have greater flexibility and time to do a variety of tasks and to help other families. Those who are called to live the single, celibate life should be encouraged and given moral support by the representatives of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, since every one is called to holiness. “What the soul is in the body, let Christians be in the world.” ([i]Lumen Gentium[/i], p. 396.)"


Each of the vocations has a particular part to play in God's Plan of Salvation and in the Mystical Body. Each of us has a unique role that only each of us in that role can fulfill.

[BarbTherese]

<p>[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1314419451' post='2295686']</p>
<p>The objective superiority of consecrated life is a dogma of the Catholic faith.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many well catechized people are ignorant of this fact. Religious communities, of course, have a vested interest in not being ignorant of it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>JennyAnne, I have been a Sister and when I was all of a sudden not, I felt that feeling of rejection and being less-than, and the total vacume of identity and understanding of who I was. It is a cliche to say time heals all wounds; in fact it does not. But as time passes God will continue to intervene in your life just as before, and each passing day will bear with it proof that His love for you endures.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>God needs roses and God needs violets, and He does not love the violets less because the roses are more majestic. He needs people who have experienced rejection and alienation and can offer the wisdom of their experience in His service. If God lets you suffer more than anyone, it's because you are His favorite.</p>
<p>[/quote]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Great post - much insight!</p>
<p>I keep in prayer all those who have left religious life and the priesthood, as well as those who ardently desire these vocations but cannot follow through for some reason and suffer because of it. As well as all young people in the hope that we have holy and sound vocations to religious life, the priesthood and marriage, single celibacy, Church leadership, in the making.</p>
<div>[quote]
<p>If God lets you suffer more than anyone, it's because you are His favorite.</p>
[/quote]</div>
<p>Sirach Chapter 2:</p>
<p><font size="2">Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;<br />
5 For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.<br />
6 Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him</font></p>
<p> </p>
<div>[quote]
<p><font size="2"> </font><font size="3">He needs people who have experienced rejection and alienation and can offer the wisdom of their experience in His service.</font></p>
<p>[/quote]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(Can't get the format into a smaller size - sorry) So much wisdom in the above. As it is in being loved that we learn about love and in receiving mercy we learn about mercy, so it is in rejection and alientation that we learn compassion and understanding, empathy, for those who experience rejection and alienation.</p>
</div>

Edited August 27, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='BarbaraTherese' timestamp='1314408765' post='2295611']

The priesthood and religious life are higher states in life. It is the actual state in life that is higher than any other state in life and this is an objective theological determination. The religious life is the "state of perfection". Objectively speaking it is the state of perfection. It is that state in life whose purpose is to achieve perfection with all the means to do so; hence, also, it makes greater demands and expectations of those thus called with all Graces necessary to live that higher call.

Subjectively speaking, nothing can be higher than God's Will - and nothing can be higher than God's Will for a person. God's Will, subjectively speaking could be said to be higher than the priesthood or religious life.

It is a mystery why some are called to the higher states and others not - although possibly it is only confusing to a person who is thinking in an individualistic type manner i.e. of self and desiring the best for self. We are the Mystical Body of Christ, some called to this function, others to that. It has nothing to do with being more or less loved, more or less better than anyone else. With our call and vocation comes all the Graces necessary to live that vocation, hence no credit to self whatever. A person can achieve great holiness and sanctity in any vocation whatsoever and holiness and sanctity ideally is our desire for self, which can alone be achieved by lovingly embracing God's Will in all things - while objectively speaking the priesthood and religious life are higher states in life. I guess if I am upset because I am not called to a higher state in life, then I do not grasp the great dignity of being called anywhere at all by God's Will and to lovingly embrace God's Will and all the duties of my state in life as God's Means of leading me to holiness along a particular path and of building up The Mystical Body of Christ on earth. If I am upset, then I have some growing to do in both understanding (knowledge) and in humility.

It could be said that only I can complete God's Task for me on earth and the same for us all. We are needed where we are called by God and needed there by Him in His Divine Plan of salvation.
[/quote]

This is a great post and everyone should read and re-read it to grasp what the Church teaches on this subject.

[jennyanne]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1314419451' post='2295686']
The objective superiority of consecrated life is a dogma of the Catholic faith.

Many well catechized people are ignorant of this fact. Religious communities, of course, have a vested interest in not being ignorant of it.

JennyAnne, I have been a Sister and when I was all of a sudden not, I felt that feeling of rejection and being less-than, and the total vacume of identity and understanding of who I was. It is a cliche to say time heals all wounds; in fact it does not. But as time passes God will continue to intervene in your life just as before, and each passing day will bear with it proof that His love for you endures.

God needs roses and God needs violets, and He does not love the violets less because the roses are more majestic. He needs people who have experienced rejection and alienation and can offer the wisdom of their experience in His service. If God lets you suffer more than anyone, it's because you are His favorite.
[/quote]


Thanks for sharing, Lillabet. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know that someone understands.

Thanks to everyone for you answers.

[MithLuin]

Yeah, the religious state is objectively better. Meaning, it points to the heavenly reality of complete union with Christ.

Marriage is a sacrament, so it's an earthly version of love and unity that is beautiful and tells us a lot about God's love for himself. But...it's only 'until death.' There is no marriage in heaven.

However.

HOW you live out your vocation is what really matters. We're all called to be saints. If you're a miserable/unhappy religious, your vows aren't going to save you. Just as if you are a lousy spouse, no one's going to see your marriage as a symbol of God's love.

So...do what you can to become a saint. Be attentive to God's will for your life. Don't worry to much about wanting to be called to something 'better' - focus on what you [i]are [/i]called to.

God loves you, no matter what. There's nothing you can do to make him love you less....or more. Remember that.

[jennyanne]

[quote name='MarisStella' timestamp='1314418927' post='2295683']

"Today, the Lord gave me knowledge of His anger toward mankind which deserves to have its days shortened because of its sins. But I learned that the world's existence is maintained by chosen souls; that is, the religious orders. Woe to the world when there will be a lack of religious orders!" - diary, Dec. 1937, paragraph 1434 "[The] Child Jesus said to me, 'Look at the sky.' And when I looked at the sky I saw the stars and the moon shining. Then the child asked me, 'Do you see this moon and these stars?' When I said yes, he spoke these words to me, 'These stars are the souls of faithful Christians, and the moon is the souls of religious. Do you see how great the difference is between the light of the moon and the light of the stars? Such is the difference in heaven between the soul of a religious and the soul of a faithful Christian'." - diary, May 12, 1935, paragraph 424

[/quote]



Wow! I just read this from the post above. ouch! Doesn't that seem odd that one would be so much less for following God's will as a faithful Christian than as a religious? Isn't the whole point to do His Will? Why the big difference then? Is it possible that St. Faustina was just wrong about this?

[Sarah147]

[quote]The Catholic Church teaches, as dogma, that a consecrated life of celibacy is a superior calling than the married state, and should be preferred, if it is within the capacity and disposition of the soul to do so.

[url="http://www.religious-vocation.com/"]Source[/url]
[/quote]

[Sister Marie]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1314489703' post='2296042']
[/quote]

I've been watching this thread because I agree that there is something special about religious life (as there is about all the states in life) but I am extremely uncomfortable with the words "perfect" and "superior" to describe religious life. I am newly out of initial formation and so have studied a lot about religious life rather recently and when I saw the first quote from Vita Consecrata I thought... hmm, how did I miss that? After reading those documents over and over and over again... how could I have not gotten that it was a dogma religious life is the objectively superior calling. So I just went to the Vatican website to look at the context of that quote and it gives a much different view and tone when taken in the entire paragraph.

Here is the entire paragraph from Vita Consecrata:

"Within this [u][b]harmonious constellation of gifts[/b][/u], [b]each of the fundamental [u]states of life[/u] is entrusted with the task of expressing, in its own way, one or other aspect of the one mystery of Christ.[/b] While [i]the lay life[/i] has [i]a particular mission [/i]of ensuring that the Gospel message is proclaimed in the temporal sphere, in the sphere of ecclesial communion [i]an indispensable ministry is carried out by those in Holy Orders,[/i] and in a special way by Bishops. The latter have the task of guiding the People of God by the teaching of the word, the administration of the sacraments and the exercise of sacred power in the service of ecclesial communion, which is an organic communion, hierarchically structured.[u]As a way of showing forth the Church's holiness, [i]it is to be recognized that the consecrated life,[/i] which mirrors Christ's own way of life, [i]has an objective superiority[/i]. [/u]Precisely for this reason, it is an especially rich manifestation of Gospel values and a more complete expression of the Church's purpose, which is the sanctification of humanity. [b]The consecrated life proclaims and in a certain way anticipates the future age, when the fullness of the Kingdom of heaven, already present in its first fruits and in mystery,will be achieved, and when the children of the resurrection will take neither wife nor husband, but will be like the angels of God[/b] (cf. [i]Mt [/i]22:30).The Church has always taught the pre-eminence of perfect chastity for the sake of the Kingdom,and rightly considers it the "door" of the whole consecrated life.[b]She also shows [u]great esteem[/u] for the [u]vocation to marriage[/u], which makes spouses "witnesses to and cooperators in the fruitfulness of Holy Mother Church, who signify and share in the love with which Christ has loved his Bride and because of which he delivered himself up on her behalf".In this perspective, common to all consecrated life, there are many different but complementary paths.[/b] Men and women Religious [i]completely devoted to contemplation [/i]are in a special way an image of Christ praying on the mountain.Consecrated persons engaged in [i]the active life[/i] manifest Christ "in his proclamation of the Kingdom of God to the multitudes, in his healing of the sick and the suffering, in his work of converting sinners to a better life, in his solicitude for youth and his goodness to all".Consecrated persons in [i]Secular Institutes[/i] contribute in a special way to the coming of the Kingdom of God; they unite in a distinctive synthesis the value of consecration and that of being in the world. As they live their consecration in the world and from the world,"they strive to imbue everything with an evangelical spirit for the strengthening and growth of the Body of Christ".For this purpose they share in the Church's evangelizing mission through their personal witness of Christian living, their commitment to ordering temporal affairs according to God's plan, and their cooperation in service of the ecclesial community, in accordance with the secular way of life which is proper to them."

I think the tone is quite different in the full context. I would reframe this conversation to say that the single life, married life, consecrated life, and priesthood all show an image of who God is and what He is doing in our world - they image the eternal Kingdom. A man and a woman image in matrimony the final wedding between the Bride - the Church and the Bridegroom - Christ. According to John Paul's Theology of the Body, their love images directly the giving, receiving, and life giving nature of the Trinity... THAT IS HUGE! Meanwhile, priests offer us the great opportunity to experience Christ in the sacraments. The sacrifice of their lives in imitation of Christ is an image of the eternal love of Christ for His Church. In my mind and heart, what is implied by this "objectively superior" language is just that we as religious have already wed Christ in that eternal marriage feast. When I say "just" I don't mean to say that it is not profound but it certainly doesn't make US superior - all it means is that the image we offer is more closely linked to the heavenly marriage that awaits. It certainly also does not make us more perfect.

I am so blessed right now to work in a school with some of the most dedicated teachers I have ever met and you know what - they are a million times holier than I can even hope to be. I am in awe of them and God continually uses them as an example to me of how to live a committed Christian life of love and service. I am continually humbled by them.

I'm sorry if I sound like a lunatic, haha. This is a really "heavy" topic and I don't believe that Christ would ever want us to cringe at our own calling when compared with another but I found myself cringing a little bit as I read. I reread this post a few times and I'm still not quite happy with it either... haha. You are all so precious to God and He desires your love. That is all. Everything else is a detail - important but still only details. Know I'm praying for you.

Sister Marie

[Sister Andrew]

Sr. Marie,
Thanks for that paragraph from Vita Consecrata. Putting the quote in context is very helpful. I don't really know what else to say in this topic. It is a very big topic! and sometimes I have a hard time articulating myself by typing! If I can think of something to contribute I'll be sure to post!

[MarisStella]

[quote name='jennyanne' timestamp='1314489688' post='2296041']



Wow! I just read this from the post above. ouch! Doesn't that seem odd that one would be so much less for following God's will as a faithful Christian than as a religious? Isn't the whole point to do His Will? Why the big difference then? Is it possible that St. Faustina was just wrong about this?
[/quote]

I know, I agree. :/ I thought that was a little harsh but I don't know..

[begin_again]

Beautifully said, Lillabett. I was a Sister in the "old" days and the opinion of a religious vocation being a "higher" calling/vocation was definitely taught to us. When I left, one of the sisters in "charge" of Junior sisters told me, "You know you have a vocation, you are turning your back on God and you will loose you immortal soul." I cannot tell you (because we all have our own pain) the horrors on my one night on a train back to my home town. I had been given not a dime and had to sit up all night with no money for food, just drinks of water. It took me years of being so lost and feeling so that I had "left" God. God gifted me with a holy, prayerful, wise SD to help me overcome and to plow through this sense of having rejected God, walked out on Him who I loved.. As you so beautifully stated, Lillabett, God needs roses and God needs violets and God even needs some of the lovely weeds. He does need those of us who have experienced rejection, feeling lost and, I would say even, cruelty so that we can be for others. I would not trade my years in religious life for anything in the world because I know it was where God wanted me at that time in my life. Now it has proven to be an invaluable lesson for me in my profession as a teacher....to find God in each student. To see Christ in each and every one of them...that together to help them make something of their lives because of Him is something I am not sure I would have ever grasped had I not had those experiences.

God loves us all; He truly does! To internalize that fact sometimes takes a long time, a lot of prayer, and asking, begging for that understanding. One drop of His precious blood shed on the Cross for our sins, one drop, is enough to save the entire world. How could He not love you unconditionally and forever and forever (I love it in Spanish, "por los siglos de los siglos)? I may not have the time set aside for Mass, prayer, LOH, rosary, etc., as I would have had in the convent, but I have minute by minute opportunities to offer my each action of each day to Him. At midnight after I have graded 160 papers am falling asleep praying Compline (when I am seeing words that are not on the page or my mouth is saying one thing and I am so tired I am thinking of something entirely different) I know that God loves me such as much if I simply nod off doing what I think He is calling me to do now. Never forget that God created you, you were in His thoughts before the world began and he knew you, you knew your every thought, word and action. He created you in your mother's precious womb; you are precious in His sight, He longs for your love no matter what you are doing in life. Return His infinite love and listen, listen, listen to Him. He will whisper in your ear in silence how much He loves you and He will ask you to love Him in return.

I think the higher calling is the one to which we are called!

[BarbTherese]

I am having problems editing - Apologies. This post is cancelled, duplication.

Edited August 28, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[BarbTherese]

[quote name='jennyanne' timestamp='1314489688' post='2296041']



Wow! I just read this from the post above. ouch! Doesn't that seem odd that one would be so much less for following God's will as a faithful Christian than as a religious? Isn't the whole point to do His Will? Why the big difference then? Is it possible that St. Faustina was just wrong about this?
[/quote]

We are not bound to believe all a saint may write. Certainly, there is no Church Teaching that the souls of religious and faithful Christians are different in Heaven by virtue of their vocation per se. There may be differences according to their state of Grace meaning that possibly some souls may shine brighter than others. But this is according to Sanctifying Grace in the soul, be it a religious or faithful Christian. It is the Grace that shines.

[u][b]Mark Chapter 9[/b][/u] - and with the authority of The Gospel behind it:
[url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=48&ch=9&l=33#x"][33][/url] But they held their peace, for in the way they had disputed among themselves, which of them should be the greatest. [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=48&ch=9&l=34#x"][34][/url] And sitting down, he called the twelve, and saith to them: If any man desire to be first, he shall be the last of all, and the minister of all.


If we have a desire to be first, then in life we must strive to be the very least and last, and a servant to all - Jesus is very clear on this. Hence if I want to shine like the moon as compared with the stars in Heaven, then in my life I will be striving to be the least of the least and the humble servant of the least and of all. Interstingly, the above quotation from Mark occurs in the context of the apostles arguing over who should be the greatest among them. If a person is great and does great things for God in our human understanding, then praise God and all Glory to God and may they shine brightly in Heaven.

If indeed the souls of faithful religious shine brighterin Heaven than the souls of faithful Christians, then this is by virtue of God's Will - and it is God's Will that is lovingly embraced and with praise and thanksgiving for whatever He may Will. In Heaven it will not be of concern, other than to illustrate The Glory of God, since "every tear will be wiped away".

Edited August 28, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[BarbTherese]

Referring to this Post: [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=115168&view=findpost&p=2296062"]http://www.phatmass....dpost&p=2296062[/url]

Vita Consecrata is an important document also for those living the single celibate life for the sake of The Kingdom :

[quote]
We are all aware of the treasure which the gift of the consecrated life in the variety of its charisms and institutions represents for the ecclesial community. [i]Together let us thank God [/i]for the Religious Orders and Institutes devoted to contemplation or the works of the apostolate, for Societies of Apostolic Life, for Secular Institutes and for other groups of consecrated persons,[u] as well as for all those individuals who, in their inmost hearts, dedicate themselves to God by a special consecration.[/u]
[/quote]

It is an important document for laity as well, as well as the one on the laity per se and the priesthood:

[quote]
4. In response to the desire expressed by the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which met to discuss the theme "The Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and in the World", I intend to set forth in this Apostolic Exhortation the results of the Synod processand to point out to all the faithful — Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and laity, and to any others who might be interested — the wondrous things which today too the Lord wishes to accomplish through the consecrated life.

Whereas the Second Vatican Council emphasized the profound reality of ecclesial communion, in which all gifts converge for the building up of the Body of Christ and for the Church's mission in the world, in recent years there has been felt the need to clarify [i]the specific identity of the various states of life,[/i] their vocation and their particular mission in the Church.Communion in the Church is not uniformity, but a gift of the Spirit who is present in the variety of charisms and states of life. These will be all the more helpful to the Church and her mission the more their specific identity is respected. For every gift of the Spirit is granted in order to bear fruit for the Lordin the growth of fraternity and mission.
[/quote]

The various vocations in The Church disperse the gifts of The Holy Spirit according to God's Will "in order to bear [u]fruit for the Lord[/u] in the [u]growth of fraternity and mission[/u]". As we insight and come to an understanding of an appreciation of other vocations, so we grow in insight, understanding and appreciation of our own.

Our various vocations do not compete with each other, but complement each other giving their particular and ordained witness by God. We are a community of individuals in the one Mystical Body of Christ, bound by mutual love and appreciation and assigned on mission for the Glory of God building up the Mystical Body of Christ on earth.

[maximillion]

I am no theologian, I leave that to others, but I am a good observer of life. What I observe in to-days way of being is that we are set up in direct opposition to each other, that 'success' (no matter in what it consists) is everything, that we must constantly rank ourselves against and beside others....this is the way of the world.
But it is not The Way of the Word.
'Higher' in this spiritual sense does not imply better like it does in the world. It means, to my reading of all of the above, 'different'.
God has as many aspects of His Infinite Being as there are people on the planet.....that is why we all exist in our many hued and various differences. This is a [b]perfect[/b]
outflowing of Love Abundant, Love so grand, so wide, so full, so pregnant with possibility that it takes all of us together and individually to express It.
How can any part of that magnificence be less?
I have been a sister....
I have never been a married woman, but I have had the grace of parenthood given me in my foster son. I don't imagine myself to be any the less as a person now than I was as a sister. My way of being in Him is different...........Praise Him for all our differences. Accept our differences as a full expression of Life in HIm.

[BarbTherese]

[quote name='maximillion' timestamp='1314518873' post='2296254']
I am no theologian, I leave that to others, but I am a good observer of life. What I observe in to-days way of being is that we are set up in direct opposition to each other, that 'success' (no matter in what it consists) is everything, that we must constantly rank ourselves against and beside others....this is the way of the world.
But it is not The Way of the Word.
'Higher' in this spiritual sense does not imply better like it does in the world. It means, to my reading of all of the above, 'different'.
God has as many aspects of His Infinite Being as there are people on the planet.....that is why we all exist in our many hued and various differences. This is a [b]perfect[/b]
outflowing of Love Abundant, Love so grand, so wide, so full, so pregnant with possibility that it takes all of us together and individually to express It.
How can any part of that magnificence be less?
I have been a sister....
I have never been a married woman, but I have had the grace of parenthood given me in my foster son. I don't imagine myself to be any the less as a person now than I was as a sister. My way of being in Him is different...........Praise Him for all our differences. Accept our differences as a full expression of Life in HIm.
[/quote]

Interesting concept and I tend to agree with you about "higher" or "superior" meaning different and religious life is different from lay life in that its primary call is to witness to perfection and Heaven - and of course, it can be said theologically, that perfection and the state of perfection and Heaven are the highest of calls. But what it means, I think, in practical terms is that it is a different witness to say marriage where the witness is to the unity between Christ and His Church and this is a very high call. In our daily lives, no matter our vocation, we are called to, and ideally witness to, some aspect of Christ and His Church ideally. His Love, His Mercy, His Compassion and Understanding, His Patience, His self sacrifice etc.etc. - all very high calls.

Why does God call one here and another there - because God needs some here and some there.

We need to remember, I think, that all that is good has its origin and end in God i.e. His Grace and always it is to God and His Grace alone all glory be assigned be it minute or great. If a person is called to the state of perfection and perseveres until death, then to God's Grace be all glory and thanksgiving, praise. We all cant be priests, religious or nuns or mankind and indeed The Church would be racing towards extinction. We do need witnesses to the state of perfection and Heaven however. If I am called to some quite humble role in the great scheme of things i.e. God's Plan of Salvation, then great praise and thanksgiving are due that God has seen fit in the first place to call such as I at all. It is a great mystery but each one of us in the Mystical Body from Pope to unemployed outsider has a very important part to play in God's Plan and the part only that person in the place to which they are called can play. We do have saint, St Benedict Joseph Labre (see below), who was a lay person and a beggar all his life, or what society today would probably call 'unemployed outsider' - or worse. He did not become a saint despite his 'status' but because of his perspective and attitude within that despised social 'status'.


[url="http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/stben.htm"]http://www.ewtn.com/.../mary/stben.htm[/url]


[quote]
[quote]"[b]There is no condition of life which the grace of God has not sanctified[/b][/quote]
; this is the first reflection that must rise in the mind of anyone who studies the history of Benedict Joseph Labre."
[/quote]


Thank you for undertaking a foster child and may God ever bless you both richly. I too have a foster son from 8yrs old now 46yrs old - and I have a close relationship with him still and he calls me "Mum" and a delight. And I am his Mum. It is one thing to be the parent of a child and another thing to be a Mum or Dad to a child, -I think. Thankfully and praise The Lord many are both.

[tarc]

[quote name='jennyanne' timestamp='1314489688' post='2296041']



Wow! I just read this from the post above. ouch! Doesn't that seem odd that one would be so much less for following God's will as a faithful Christian than as a religious? Isn't the whole point to do His Will? Why the big difference then? Is it possible that St. Faustina was just wrong about this?
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Well, it is obvious that St Faustina isn't the magisterium. So this is not infallible thruth. This statement even contains some problems - the stars are suns and in fact much greater than a tiny little moon.

Edited August 28, 2011 by tarc