In a meeting of Indonesian regional religious in Manila, a sister shared with me, "Religious life is dedicated for the rest of my life, and the reason I dedicate myself is because of the prayers and blessings of my parents." A brother explained enthusiastically, "That is the calling of a religious life, choosing to live a life blessed by God."
A vocation to religious life is a vocation that is full of blessings; has meaning regarding the way people live their faith. Consciously and confidently, the questions that come from those who are amazed, or maybe just curious about this particular way of life are tricky: "How can religious people be so sure about living their vocation?" or so, "Is it possible that the choice to become religious is the best way to escape the fact that humans have the desire to love and multiply offspring on earth?" The most important content of this question is how a religious person believes that his calling results from a spiritual discussion between himself and God, who calls him. How could God call us? Is He calling us? That way, religious people will believe in the words of Jesus, "There are people who do not marry because of the Kingdom of God." (cf. Matthew 19:12)
The question of religion is related to the consecrated life, a life that only positions itself as the bride of God. In a sense, they are legally bound by the Church to live in purity, obedience, and poverty like Jesus, who also was. How about those who choose not to become religious? Can they also be said to someone who is devoted to God? Of course, it is. Everyone is specially called to love God, and in every way that humans can do to show that love. Marry the right partner, choose to live alone for the sake of a career and help others as a volunteer, and so on. That way, living to love God is everyone's choice to determine who they are before God.
So, what can we take from these two realities of life as the meaning of this search for true life? I offer one word that can emphasize the two realities: the other person. The word 'persona' means something we call an individual (human). In this sense, living to love God in all circumstances is not just our efforts, but other people take part in our life plan. Neither religious nor lay believers can say that his vocation was purely self-made. That is wrong, even betraying another reality God has given as a traveling companion. Other people share our calling in life, whether we know them or not. We know that one's vocation journey is the result of a spiritual discussion with God and oneself, but another person is a sign of presence given by God as a helper. The story of Adam and Eve is not just about debating who helps whom but emphasizes an important thing, loving God also means loving other realities, so other people participate in our calling.
It's the same for a religious person. They do not walk alone because their life offering is the fruit of prayers and support from other people: parents, friends, coworkers, and others. Looking back at the story of Jesus being presented in the Temple, Jesus' parents became the 'helpers' to offer their children to God. Jesus did not walk alone to the Temple of God, but He (as a human being) was assisted by his parents to be presented in the Temple according to the Jewish tradition at that time. Thus, if a religious person proudly says that his calling is his strength, then be sure that he did not understand the meaning of life offerings and other helpers at that time.
