Chapter 1 Called by God

Share a Quotation “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” – Gerard Manley Hopkins “God is that, the greater than which cannot be conceived.” – St. Anselm of Canterbury

Share a Quotation “God is a sea of infinite substance.” – St. John of Damascus “ God is the beyond in the midst of life. ” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer “ He who sees the infinite in all things, sees God. ” – William Blake

Share a Quotation “ God is all that is good, in my sight, and the goodness that everything has is his. – Julian of Norwich “ God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us. ” – Fulton John Sheen

Share a Quotation “ God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. ” – C.S. Lewis “ The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too. ” – St. Teresa of Avila “ Where love is, there God is also. ” – Mohandas Gandhi

Quick Check What is the deeper meaning of vocation that the Church presents to us?

Quick Check What is the deeper meaning of vocation that the Church presents to us? The religious meaning of vocation is much deeper; it focuses on how one ’ s whole life is directed toward God, and towards serving others with one ’ s gifts and talents.

Quick Check When do Christians first receive their vocation and when and how can they start living it?

Quick Check When do Christians first receive their vocation and when and how can they start living it? Christians first receive their vocation at Baptism and can start living it as young children by making choices to follow Jesus.

Quick Check What is the mission, or vocation of the Church and how does it connect to an individual ’ s vocation?

Quick Check What is the mission, or vocation of the Church and how does it connect to an individual ’ s vocation? The mission, or vocation of the Church is to help build God ’ s kingdom here on earth. We participate in this mission as individuals because we are a part of the Body of Christ. We participate in the life of the Church, and listen to and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Quick Check Describe how the Christian vocation can be lived out through various states of life.

Quick Check Describe how the Christian vocation can be lived out through various states of life. Christian vocations can be lived out by ordained ministers who take vows to serve Christ ’ s people, by married lay persons who promise to be living witnesses to the world of their unity and faithfulness to each other, by single persons who bless the world with their unique gifts, and by consecrated religious who dedicate their lives in service to the Church and the world.

Quick Check What was so extraordinary about Abraham given the time in which he was alive?

Quick Check What was so extraordinary about Abraham given the time in which he was alive? Abraham lived in a polytheistic society. God called him to believe in one God, that is to be monotheistic.

Quick Check What were some of the common responses of those who were reluctant to answer God ’ s call, and what was God ’ s basic answer to all of them?

Quick Check What were some of the common responses of those who were reluctant to answer God ’ s call, and what was God ’ s basic answer to all of them? “ No, I can ’ t! I don ’ t have the skills! I ’ m too young! I ’ m too old! I ’ m not powerful enough! I ’ m scared! ” God provided answers for each argument with the core truth: It isn ’ t up to you, it is up to me. He also provided encouragement and promised his blessings.

Quick Check What were Moses ’ arguments when God called him to lead his people out of Egypt?

Quick Check What were Moses ’ arguments when God called him to lead his people out of Egypt? Moses complained that the people would never follow him, he wasn ’ t a good enough speaker, he didn ’ t have the influence or power necessary to lead, and that he wasn ’ t up to the job.

Quick Check What was surprising about the successor of King Saul?

Quick Check What was surprising about the successor of King Saul? David was the youngest in his family, and overlooked. People had low expectations of his abilities.

Quick Check What was Jesus ’ mission and how did he accomplish it?

Quick Check What was Jesus ’ mission and how did he accomplish it? Jesus’ mission was to bring salvation to all humankind. He accomplished this most fully through his life, death, and Resurrection.

Quick Check Why were Elizabeth and Zechariah important figures in the history of salvation?

Quick Check Why were Elizabeth and Zechariah important figures in the history of salvation? They were a part of the faithful remnant of Israel and accepted the mission to raise John the Baptist, who would announce the arrival of the Messiah.

Quick Check What made Joseph ’ s vocation so difficult at first?

Quick Check What made Joseph ’ s vocation so difficult at first? Joseph ’ s vocation was thrust upon him when he learned Mary was pregnant. His love for her and faith in God helped him accept God ’ s call.

Quick Check Not every Apostle in the Gospels immediately got a direct call from Jesus to follow him. How did others come to follow him?

Quick Check Not every Apostle in the Gospels immediately got a direct call from Jesus to follow him. How did others come to follow him? Others came to follow Jesus through the encouragement of friends and by talking with Jesus himself.

Quick Check How did the events of Pentecost affect the Apostles and influence their mission?

Quick Check How did the events of Pentecost affect the Apostles and influence their mission? At Pentecost the Apostles received the Spirit that Jesus had promised, and the strength, courage, and ability to begin their mission.

Quick Check What does it mean to evangelize and how did the first Apostles accomplish this task?

Quick Check What does it mean to evangelize and how did the first Apostles accomplish this task? To evangelize means to share Jesus ’ Good News. The first Apostles accomplished this by going out into the world to preach about Jesus and baptize new believers.

Quick Check What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist and why is it so important in their lives?

Quick Check What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist and why is it so important in their lives? Catholics believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. Through the Eucharist we are united more closely to Christ, and to his Body here on earth. We seal our discipleship and membership in the Church when we receive Eucharist, and we receive strength for our journey and the mission we are called to by Jesus.

Quick Check What do we learn from Jesus ’ washing of his Apostles ’ feet at his Last Supper?

Quick Check What do we learn from Jesus ’ washing of his Apostles ’ feet at his Last Supper? We learn that reaching out in service to others is not an option. It is a mandate for all disciples of Jesus.