Finding Vocation in Profession

     Today is "World Day of Prayer for Vocations." I am sure you must have heard the distinction people often make between the following two concepts: profession and vocation.
     It is said that through your profession, you make a living but through your vocation, you make a life. Most times, your profession is a product of your skill and training, but it is not always so with vocation. Yes, sometimes, you need training to know how to carry our your vocation well but not always. Vocation is a seed sown in the heart of a child of God by God himself which we can embrace even without training. Nobody taught Mother Theresa of Calcutta how to care for the poor and the dying.
     The primary goal of professions is to enhance the self and that is why you are promoted the more value you add at work. That is why you receive a salary for the value you add through your profession. Sometimes, professions help you serve others, but this is only a secondary function. In vocation, the primary focus id either to serve God or other people. People who embrace a vacation see themselves as God's vessels. That is why they can be missionaries. They do not care about where they go or what they get. They are just God's instruments, eager yet unsatisfied.
     The truth is that there is no reason to divorce professions and vocations from each other. In fact, every Christian has the responsibility never to allow his or her profession to be an obstacle to living the mission God sent him/her to the world to live. Should a lawyer or a judge be justified in denying people justice just because of the phrase "This is how we do it here?" Shall a Christian doctor allow himself to become an instrument of the culture of death in his hospital or a teacher allow himself or herself to teach young people principles that are against humanity, morality, and dignity? Should an employee use the excuse of work to avoid Christian obligations; like going to Church on Sunday, being an active member of the Church community, and live the life of the sacraments?
     Every Christian is called to see his or her profession as a platform for mission. It does not matter what you do, in the daily exercise of you roles, you must ask yourself, "AM I DOING WHAT GOD SENT ME TO THE WORLD TO DO?" This is important, especially when people retire and no longer have an active profession. Life does not become meaningless because you are retired. Look into your heart and find something to do - something beautiful for God. Like the audience of Peter in the first reading, we must ask, "What shall we do?"