Christian Vocation

Annotations:

• The definition was extended from just being called to live the holy order or monastic life since the Vatican II

1. Some Christian men take HOLY ORDERS because it is their VOCATION
   1. This means that their whole life will be devoted to God's service through ordained ministry
      1. Many have tried to ignore it, but to no avail; the call was just so persistent!
   2. HOLY ORDER
      1. DEACONS: Assistants to the Bishops and Preists. They can work in places such as parishes, hospitals and prisons. They can give only 2 SACRAMENTS
         1. PREISTS: Offer day to day spiritual care of the local parish. They can give 5 SACRAMENTS
            1. BISHOPS: Ultimate authority for their Dioces. They are the primary faith teachers and can offer all 7 SACRAMENTS. The bishop invokes the Holy Spirirt when he lays his hands on people
               1. A SACRAMENT: An outward sign of inward grace given to us by God
                  1. THE 7 SACRAMENTS
                     1. SACRAMETS OF INITIATION: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
                        1. Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Confession, Marriage
      2. REMEMBER! IN Catholism, the ORDINATION gives power, not the GRACE!

1. Vocation is a call to witness; spreading the gospel is the vocation all Christians are called to do
   1. Linked; In John's Gospel, Jesus says 'you must testify'

1. It means that Christians are called to live a life of discipleship
2. In the same way that Jesus did His Father's will, so must Christians, so that salvation will be acheived.
3. It links Present-Day Christians to the Early Church