Whenever I become aware of Members who are doubtful about vocation, I find it to be very unfortunate. Although it is normal to have doubts, at a deeper level it must be addressed. Our place in the church is clearly defined and is best expressed in our mission of evangelising. One who is living fully the SDC charisma can resolve all doubts!

    Recently, when visiting our brethren in Australia, I became aware of a local idiom often made about what it means to be a full Member. This expression which is part of the SDC culture here seems to imply in theirs, that there are full and maybe the not-so-full Members! I eventually learnt that being full in the Australian setting means to be intoxicated. This misuse of the this term has sometimes been equated with the way in which Members participate in the ministry. Often productivity may be confused with mission.

    So whom should we incorporate into our Society? I believe that the answer to this question lies in the fact that we must be willing to respond positively to a call that the Spirit makes to each and every one of us; that is to live a particular yet common spirituality. It is not a matter of age but zeal, piety, moral goodness and ability to participate at some level in the particular work of our Society.

    Our particular yet common spirituality must lead us to witness to the whole world; God’s love for humanity. “For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be rejected but may have eternal life.” John 3,16. Those with Holy Orders witness to this truth, through mediation as ministers of Word and sacrament. The Religious also witness to this truth, through living out the evangelical counsels of poverty, obedience and chastity. This life gives preface to how we shall live in our Father’s house. In our case, we witness to the commitment towards social justice begun by Jesus.

    The Church as the mystical body gives many dimensions to Christ’s mission through priest, religious and laity. Therefore we are called to live out our lay commitment allowing God’s spirit to sanctify us. As a result of this we can share our faith by imparting our knowledge about the Kingdom of God to all those that come our way, or even more importantly, to seek others on their way.

    An elder of our Society puts it like this. “Ours is a sui generis – unique - vocation.” The more we align ourselves with the Gospel, people will come to know who we really are, and what we stand for. They will be drawn to the beauty of our unique call, vision and mission.  

    After many years it is still possible for us to be deceived and under-value Christ’s gift to us which is our vocation. What is required is full commitment without reservation.