MUOGBO MICHAEL IZUCHUKWU
COME AND SEE
Introduction
This chapter of the
pastores dabo vobis, an encyclical of pope johnpaul II on apostolic
exhortation/ priestly formation, relates the scene of john 1:39 and the
response of jesus to the formation of the catholic priesthood, its relevance
and to priestly vocation. The above gospel passage describes the mystery of
vocation. The church is called to contemplate this scene which is renewed
constantly down the ages, regarding the church’s history.
This chapter presents a
genuinely theological assessment of priestly vocation and pastoral work in its
regard can only arise from an assessment of the mystery of the church as a
mysterium vocationis. It equally clarifies the responsibility of the church and
the ecumenical community with regards to safeguarding and helping vocations to
grow in the church. Vocation is God’s gift to humanity and therefore must be
cherished and cared for responsibly.
A very special
responsibility equally falls upon the Christian families, which by virtue of
the sacrament of matrimony shares in its own unique way in the educational
mission of the church, teacher and mother. The lay faithful equally have great
importance in promoting the pastoral work of priestly vocation. The church is nothing
without the priests. Vocation in the church is mostly about seeking, following
and abiding.
SUMMARY
PRIESTLY VOCATION IN THE
CHURCH’S APOSTOLIC WORK
The pope in this chapter
invites the church to contemplate on the apostolic call of discipleship. There
is need for the church at large to delve and unravel the mysteries of
discipleship, there should be and original meaning to the call to follow Christ
in the priestly ministry. The pope emphasizes the unbreakable bond between
divine grace and human responsibility.
Discerning and living of
once vocation to the priesthood is a gradual, though concrete in the phases of
seeking, finding and staying with Christ. Lack of priests is certainly a bad
thing for any church, therefore pastoral works for vocations needs to be taken
up with a new vigour and commitment by all the church members. Vocational
concerns are essential part of the church’s apostolate; vocation defines the
being of the church.
The church gathers its
strength and impulse for pastoral work from the gospel of vocation. Here there
is a great need for discipleship. This concern demands integrating and
identification with care of the soul. This is equally an essential dimension to
the church’s apostolate with regards to her mission. The church is convocation,
an assembly of those who have been called. God gathered together those who look
in faith towards Jesus to establish the church,a visible sacrament for saving
unity.
THE CHURCH AND THE GIFT
OF VOCATION
Every vocation takes its
foundation from the choice of the Father, each vocation comes from God and is a
gift of God. The vocation to the priesthood does not come outside or
independent of the church. The call of the priest exists
through the church and for the church, and finds its fulfillment in the church.
Priesthood candidates do not receive their vocation by imposing their own
personal conditions but by accepting the norms and conditions laid down by the
church herself in fulfillment of her responsibility. The church being in herself
a vocation is also a begetter and educator of vocation. This is because the
church is the sacrament through which all Christian vocation is reflected and
lived out.
God
willed to make us holy and save us, not as individuals without bond but rather
to make us into a people who might acknowledge him and serve him in holiness.
As a matter of fact, the church prepares us for this mission and vocation.
Vocations are given to the church along the path to salvation, but the church
is a mystery of vocation, a luminous and living reflection of the Blessed
Trinity. The church is unified by the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The
essential dimension of the Christian vocation does not only derive from the
church and her mediation, known and fulfilled in it but it appears in
fundamental service to God as a service to the church. Vocations build the
church to increase God’s kingdom in the world. Vocations exist in the church
and for the church.
It
is the task of bishops and competent superiors to recognize and examine the
suitability of the vocation of each priesthood candidate. The vocation to the
priesthood is not received by one imposing his personal conditions, but by
accepting the norms and conditions which the church lays down, in the
fulfillment of her responsibility.
VOCATIONAL
DIALOGUE: DIVINE INITIATIVE AND HUMAN RESPONSE
The
history of all priestly vocation is an inexpressive dialogue between God and
human beings. God takes the initiative of the call. God’s initiative to call,
demands a total respect; it cannot be forced and it cannot be replaced. Grace
and freedom cannot be opposed; grace enlivens and sustains human freedom. If we
cannot utilize the initiative of God who calls, we cannot utilize the serious
responsibility which we face in the challenge of our freedom. Vocation
therefore is the highest possible exultation of man’s freedom: the freedom of
following God’s call and entrusting oneself to him. Freedom therefore is
essential to vocation; the call is as extensive as the response. But the free
and gracious intervention of God who calls comes first.
The
church is truly present and at work in the vocation of every priest and, priestly
ministry acquires its genuine meaning and attains to its fullest truth in
serving and fostering the growth of the Christian community and the common
priesthood of the faithful. The church in dignity and responsibility as
priestly people, possesses in prayer and in the celebration of the liturgy the
essential and the primary stages of her pastoral work for vocations. The church
makes a profession of faith in praying for vocations. This prayer is the pivot
of all pastoral work for vocation; it is required for the whole ecclesial
community. Individual initiative of prayer is equally important, and there is
equally a need for spiritual direction.
There
are obstacles that hinder man’s free response to this gracious call of God. Material
goods shuts the human heart to the values of the spirit and demands to the kingdom
of God, social and cultural conditions can equally distort the true nature of
vocation, making it difficult to understand it. When there is a confused idea
about God, one’s religiosity becomes a religiosity becomes a religiosity
without God. God’s will is immutable and unavoidable, a fate that man needs to
bend and resign himself to in a totally passive manner.
God
is a father who out of love calls us and opens up with us a marvelous permanent
dialogue, inviting us as his children and guests to share in his divine life.
If there is an erroneous vision of God, man would not be able to recognize the
truth about himself and would thus be unable to live effectively his vocation.
There will be a feeling of imposition with regards to their vocation.
CONTENT
AND METHODS OF PASTORAL WORK FOR PROMOTING VOCATIONS
The
liturgy as the summit and source of the church’s existence plays an influential
role in the pastoral work of promoting vocations. The liturgy is a living
experience of God’s gift which teaches us how to respond to his call. The
liturgy reveals to us the true face of God. Irrespective of the importance and
essentiality of these, there is need for a direct preaching on the mystery of
vocation in the church, on the value of the ministerial priesthood; a properly
structured catechesis, directed to all the members of the church. As kingly
people, the church is rooted and enlivened by the “law of the spirit of life”.
The church’s mission is fulfilled when it guide every member of the faithful to
discern and live his or her vocation in freedom and charity. Vocation needs to
be inspired by Gospel values.
The
church in her dignity and responsibility as priestly people, possesses in
prayer and in the celebration of the liturgy the essential and primary stages
of pastoral work for vocations. Christian prayers, coupled with God’s
nourishment create an ideal environment where each member of the church can
discover the personal truth of his/her being and life purpose. The church
should always pray the Lord of the harvest to send more and good workers into
his harvest.
WE
ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS
Responsibility
of the vocation to the priesthood is not left for the church alone, we all are
called to safeguard, esteem and love the gift of vocation. We are all
responsible for priestly vocation. Without exception, all the members of the
church have the grace and responsibility to look after vocations. But the church
has a sole responsibility for the birth and development of vocations. The
church is nothing without vocations, especially priestly vocations. The
vocation of each priest exists in the church and for the church; through the
church, vocations are brought to fulfillments. Christian vocation, whatever
shape it takes is a gift whose purpose is to build up the church and to
increase the kingdom of God in the world.
The
first pastoral responsibility for promoting vocations to the priesthood lies on
the bishops, who are called to first exercise this responsibility, though he
needs the cooperation of others. The Bishop can rely above all on the
cooperation of his presbyterate. All the priests are unity with the Bishop in
seeking and fostering priestly vocations.
The
truth of every vocation is true of the priestly vocation; the vocation to the
ministerial priesthood is a call received through the sacrament of the holy
orders in the church, to place oneself at the service of the people of God with
a particular belongingness and configuration to Jesus Christ with the authority
of the head or shepherd of the church.
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