Called by Name

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

This is one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. Through the prophet, the Lord was speaking to His covenant people, giving comfort and hope. These words apply to His people in every generation, including our own.

He does indeed call us by name. He is calling us to be holy. Be assured, this is not an optional call for specialists, while the rest of us can settle into comfortable mediocrity!

This universal call to holiness applies to every one of God’s people. No one is left out! Within that call, some are called to particular vocations.

Some are called to consecrated religious life. Religious sisters make profound vows, espousing themselves to Jesus – a head-start on their union with Him in heaven. Such consecrated religious are beautiful and joyful reminders of the priority of Christ in this life.

With a decrease in religious vocations in many areas, our generation is missing out on seeing the full flourishing of God’s plan for holiness in the Church!

Some are called to the vocation of Holy Matrimony. This is truly a call to holiness, not merely a biological default. Too often, it is seen that way and many just drift downstream, without a thought of God’s plan for them.

The purpose of marriage is the salvation of spouses and raising up children for Christ. Of this holy bond, St. John Chrystostom wrote: “When a husband and wife are united in marriage, they no longer seem like something earthly, but rather like the image of God himself.”

Some may be called to the single life, perhaps not with a formal vow, but not merely waiting for something else. I see so many single Catholics purposefully dedicated to living out their faith in Christ, receiving Him daily in the Holy Eucharist. My parish and so many others are truly blessed by their commitment.

Some men are called to Holy Orders – some to be permanent deacons and others to the holy priesthood. They are devoted to the salvation of souls entrusted to them.

For the sacred priesthood, they forego the beautiful good of marriage for the kingdom of God (cf Matt 19:12), yet they are true fathers in the family of God, the Church.

We can be sure that we are called, but in this culture of noise and distraction, we need help hearing that call. Very often, we first hear the call of God when others see special gifts in us.

This month, parishes throughout the Diocese of Allentown will be conducting a “Called by Name” effort in each parish. We will begin by asking parishioners to prayerfully submit names of men who have qualities of a holy priest. These men will be invited to discern whether indeed God may be calling.

All are called to holiness, and all particular vocations are important to the Kingdom of God! And yet, the Sacred Priesthood is vital to the holiness of ALL of God’s people. The essential means of holiness and sacramental grace – the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist – come to us through the hands of the priest. As Bishop Schlert has stressed, vocations to the priesthood are existential to the life of the Church.

As we begin the Jubilee Year of Grace for the 65th Anniversary of our Diocese, be assured that the Lord has called YOU by name to be His own. Pray that others may hear His call to serve as holy priests!

By Father John Maria, Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Allentown and Pastor of St. Mary, Kutztown.