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Our life is a journey on which we are to play a
certain role. Some people prefer to be just the spectators, as
we see them at the sports stadium. Normally God destines each human being
to a task given to him. “It was he who gave gifts to mankind; he
appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be
evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4;11).
Who am I to be?
Among the
different types of vocations there is a call to be a Brother. That call is
equally important as the priestly vocation. It needs only to be properly
discerned and fully accepted. Right from the beginning of the Divine Word
Missionaries our founder St. Arnold Janssen had many Brothers to be
collaborators in the missionary work. The Brothers were given the
responsibilities like; building, carpentry, printing press, mass media,
mechanics, electrical and electronic works, agriculture, schools,
hospitals, administration etc. They were working hand in hand with
priests, living together as communities.
The Brothers
and Priests make their final vows equally. The initial formation is done
together.
Later on Brothers
have their own professional trainings according to each one’s talents.
The Brothers are not ordained to carry on a sacramental work like
offering Holy Mass, administering sacraments like confession, anointing of
the sick, baptism, matrimony etc.
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Jesus Christ needs more messengers – missionaries
– the men of service, with great commitment and full dedication to respond
to the needs of His Church. It is the mission of Jesus Himself that we
carry out all over the world. The one who is called by God would be given
enough graces and blessings to be fully successful if we respond
positively. The vocation on one side is a great mystery, on the other hand
it is very fragile as St. Paul says; in the pot made of clay, which can be
broken easily. The challenges we face as missionaries are great each day
of the modern world.
Jesus had His
own way of recruiting his disciples and criterion. You can find them very
easily in the Bible;
“If anyone wants
to come with me …. He must deny his self, carry his cross and follow me”
(Mk.8;34).
He who wants to
save his own life will lose it; but who loses his life for me and for the
Gospel will save it” (Mk.8;35).
“If a person is
ashamed of me and of my teaching …. Then the Son of Man will also be
ashamed of him…” (Mk. 8;38).
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