Surprising Grace

A while ago a few of us younger religious sisters and brothers were invited to share our “vocation stories” with a group of sisters who were discussing ways of accompanying young people discerning their vocations. The word “vocation” is commonly used in religious circles in its narrow sense, to mean a call to a state of life (i.e. marriage or religious life). But defined in a wider sense, it really describes one’s unique gift to the world. A friend once explained it to me this way: “Vocation is more than a role that you have, but something you are particularly called to do, that drives you. For example, your vocation might be to teach. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a teacher – it means you are drawn to teach in whatever situation you find yourself in – whether as a parent, co-worker or catechist…” How does one discover what their vocation is? It was clear from our discussion that this is a pressing question for young people today. And not just the young! Perhaps it is some...

Our guest writer this week, Grace, is a Singaporean Roman Catholic. She graduated from the National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law in mid-2018 and recently entered practice. This reflection was written just before entering the working world, looking back on God’s hand revealed through four years of law school. It’s been two months since my last university exam, and it’s now one day before I officially enter the work force. I thought I’d write a reflection on these past four years, and I thought I’d begin with a prayer I wrote just before entering university: To remember what defines me: values, and not the institutions which uphold them. To believe the best in people: and include in those, myself.  To remain open to the joys which God brings my way when I am not looking.  To remain humbly, God’s servant: To remember my purpose, which must always be tethered to love and how best to serve.  To be comfortable in the silence and allow God’s peace to tran...