The pursuit of a holy life is a journey that is unique to each individual. Understanding our vocation—whether religious or lay—can be fundamental in aligning our lives with God’s plan and receiving His graces for salvation. The wisdom of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine of Hippo provides profound insights into these vocations, guiding us towards a life of purpose and spirituality.
The Essence of Vocation by Saint Thomas Aquinas
Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and theologian, was keenly interested in the nature of vocations. For Aquinas, all vocations are a response to God’s call—a path designed by Him which leads to ultimate happiness and salvation. The essential element in discerning this call is the concept of grace. Aquinas believed that God’s grace empowers us to act virtuously and directs us towards our end: union with God.
Religious vocation, for Aquinas, was a higher calling since it involved a complete devotion to the service of God and the Church. This calling is not for everyone, but for those who are given the specific graces to embrace a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Aquinas emphasized that those who are called to this life have a particular responsibility to be examples of holy living and to dedicate themselves fully to contemplation and the service of others.
However, Aquinas did not diminish the importance of lay vocations. He stressed that laypeople also have a crucial role in God’s plan. Through their work, family life, and civic duties, they can achieve holiness. Grace for Aquinas is not limited to the religious—it is available to all according to their state in life, enabling them to fulfill their roles virtuously.
The Role of Will in Vocation According to Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine of Hippo, a Father and Doctor of the Church, explored the concept of will in his treatise on grace and free choice. Augustine’s teachings emphasize the necessity of God’s grace in any journey towards salvation, reflecting that without divine aid, human will is ineffectual in choosing and doing good.
Augustine’s interpretation of vocation is that it is deeply tied to the conversion of the heart and the turning of the will towards God. Whether one is called to the religious life or to live piously as a layperson, Augustine believes that God’s call must be answered with a proper disposition of the heart. This transformation is possible only through God’s grace, which enables the will to desire and to act in accordance with the divine.
In his personal journey, Augustine recognizes the struggles of pursuing holiness in lay life, marked by his famous prayer, “Lord, give me chastity and continence, but not yet.” His ultimate conversion story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative grace that guides a soul to embrace its true vocation.
The Necessity of Vocation for Salvation
Both Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine of Hippo agree on the critical role of vocation as a means to receive God’s graces and attain salvation. For them, a vocation is not simply a career or task but a divine call that organizes our whole being towards the love and service of God and neighbor.
The embrace of one’s vocation, religious or lay, reflects a cooperation with God’s grace. It is in this cooperation that the individual finds the path of growth in virtue and holiness that leads to salvation. Both saints’ teachings expound that regardless of the vocation to which one is called, it is through the living out of this call that one can fully participate in the economy of salvation and be conformed to Christ.
Consequence Failing to Discern One’s Vocation
The failure to discern and live out one’s vocation can have significant negative implications for both the individual and society. The concept of vocation or “calling” in Catholicism extends beyond career choices into a holistic response to God’s will, encompassing one’s state of life, occupations, and larger commitment to service. Not engaging in this discernment process can result in a life that lacks the fullness of purpose and joy that comes from aligning with Divine providence. For the wider society, the repercussions are manifold. When individuals do not occupy roles for which they were divinely intended, the common good suffers, as each person’s unique gifts are meant to not only fulfill themselves but also to contribute to the flourishing of the human family. This neglect can lead to societal structures that are less compassionate, less just, and less reflective of the Kingdom of God. As such, the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of vocational discernment as a means to fulfill personal destiny and to foster a more harmonious and God-oriented society.
Conclusion
The profound insights of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine of Hippo provide invaluable wisdom for anyone seeking to understand the necessity of vocation in the Christian journey. Whether we are called to the devoutness of religious life or the sanctity of lay living, our vocation is a sacred path designed to draw us nearer to God and His grace, guiding us to the ultimate goal of salvation. Let us, therefore, discern our vocation with prayer and openness to the will of God, that we may live a life worthy of the calling we have received.
As we reflect on the teachings of these two great saints, let’s ask ourselves: Are we attentive to God’s call in our lives? Have we sought His grace to empower our will to carry out our vocation? Embracing our unique vocation is essential; it is how we embody the divine plan and how we journey towards eternal life with God.