GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

“. . I consider Jesus Christ our Lord and his call. If a
human leader can have an appeal to us, how much greater
is the attraction of the God-Man, Jesus Christ . . . Jesus’
call goes out to all peoples, yet he specially calls each
person in a particular and unique way. He makes this
kind of appeal: ‘It is my will to win over the whole world,
to overcome evil with good, to turn hatred aside with love,
to conquer all the forces of death - whatever obstacles
there are that block the sharing of life between God and
humankind. Whoever wishes to join me in this mission
must be willing to labour with me, and so by following me
in struggle and suffering may share with me in glory.”
[St. Ignatius, Spiritual Exercises 95]
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

Matthew 21:28-32
"Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He
went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day and work
in the vineyard.' "The son answered, 'I don't want to.' Later
on he thought better of it and went. "The father gave the
same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure, glad
to.' But he never went. "Which of the two sons did what the
father asked?" They said, "The first." Jesus said, "Yes, and I
tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into
God's kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road.
You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores
believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you
didn't care enough to change
and believe him.
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

Luke 12:22-32
He continued this subject with his disciples.
"Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes
or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
There is far more to your inner life than the food
you put in your stomach, more to your outer
appearance than the clothes you hang on your
body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not
tied down to a job description, carefree in the care
of God. And you count far more. "Has anyone by
fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so
much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that,
why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at
the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their
appearance—but have you ever seen color and
design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and
women in the country look shabby GOD’S CALL
alongside them.

GOD’S CALL

Luke 12:22-32
If God gives such attention to the wildflowers,
most of them never even seen, don't you think
he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best
for you? "What I'm trying to do here is get you
to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so
you can respond to God's giving. People who
don't know God and the way he works fuss over
these things, but you know both God and how
he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-
initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your
everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be
afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends!
The Father wants to give you the very kingdom
itself.
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

John 4:34
Jesus said, "The food
that keeps me going is
that I do the will of
the One who sent me,
finishing the work he
started.”
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

What role have heroes and
heroines played in my life? Who
have been the mentors and
models whose lives and values
have inspired me?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

What dreams, values and issues
stir my passionate concern at
this time in my life?
GOD’S CALL

What dreams, values and issues
stir my passionate concern at
this time in my life?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

What is there about the person
and priorities of Jesus which has
drawn me into being His
disciple?
GOD’S CALL

What is there about the person
and priorities of Jesus which has
drawn me into being His
disciple?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

What in my life symbolizes my
willingness to commit my
energies to the person and
values of Jesus?
GOD’S CALL

What in my life symbolizes my
willingness to commit my
energies to the person and
values of Jesus?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

Regardless of my age or other
life experiences, what freedom is
there in my life for dreaming and
imagining how to extend the
reign of God?
GOD’S CALL

Regardless of my age or other
life experiences, what freedom is
there in my life for dreaming and
imagining how to extend the
reign of God?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

How am I concretely making
efforts at correcting unjust
actions, decisions and systems?
GOD’S CALL

How am I concretely making
efforts at correcting unjust
actions, decisions and systems?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

In all honesty, what do I
hesitate to give up or to do
in order to better respond to
God’s call?
GOD’S CALL

In all honesty, what do I
hesitate to give up or to do
in order to better respond to
God’s call?
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

“At this point . . notice how your chosen
place and rhythm of prayer are supporting
your growing attentiveness to God’s action
within you. Make any adjustments which
will help you to be more sensitive to God’s
invitation during prayer and throughout
the day.”
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

“I take the usual time to place
myself before God in reverence,
begging that everything in my day
be more and more dedicated to
God’s service and praise.”
[St. Ignatius, Spiritual Exercises 91]
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL

* from ‘Moment by Moment’ - A Retreat in Everyday
Life
by Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ and Eugene F. Merz, SJ*
GOD’S CALL

GOD’S CALL