Three Questions of Vocation

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: For openness in exploring the questions of vocation .

Use the grace or the suggested scriptural passage above to create your own prayer. You can also use the one below. After reading the scriptural passage above, say:

Loving God, we are going to continue exploring the questions of vocation tonight. Help us to get in touch with our deepest desires and dare to ask you as the lawyer did, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Help us to be attentive to you and one another. Be here with us and guide our conversation. Amen.

Note: Ask for a volunteer to lead opening and closing prayers for the next meeting.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed: CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, candle, papers, pens, etc.), laptop, instrumental music, video clips (see below)

Introduction

Make connection with last week’s topic and introduce tonight’s topic.

Exercise: The Three Vocation Questions

You have two options: Either watch the video clips or pray with the vocation questions.

Choose one only.

Option 1: Watch Video Clips

Note: We recommend to watch and discuss each theme question at a time.

First Question: What are you passionate about?

1) How did Batman discover his desire or passion?

Bruce Wayne (Batman) discovered his strengths and passion by facing and embracing his fear of bats.

2) What are you passionate about?

(Think: fears, energy, what consistently gets you up in the morning, what you love to do, etc.)

Second Question: What are you good at?

1) How did Violet discover her talents and gifts?

Violet, with patience, uncovers her special talents that lie beyond her poor self-esteem and the confusion she felt about her own identity.

2) What are you good at?

(Think: talents, skills, gifts…things you have done well and easily, things you really enjoy doing, things you have done where hours passed by without notice…)

Third question: What does the world need from you?

1) What do you think about the video? Discuss.

2) What does the world need from you?

(Think: what stirs compassion within me wanting to make a difference in the world. If members have gathered information from their recent community service, have them share. If not, invite them to share from their past experiences of community service.)

Option 2: Pray with the Vocation Questions

Invite members to pray with the questions below. These questions can be found in their journal booklets. Give members about 10 minutes to pray and then discuss them.

Suggested questions to pray and share: Imagine God is sitting in front of you and ask you the following questions. What would you say?

First Question: What are you passionate about?

(Think: your fears, energy, what consistently gets you up in the morning, what you love to do…)

Second Question: What are you good at?

(Think: talents, skills, gifts…things you have done well and easily…things you really enjoy doing…things you have done where hours passed by without notice…)

Third Question: What does the world need from you?

(Think: What stirs compassion within me wanting to make a difference in the world? If members have gathered information from their recent community services, have them share. If not, invite them to share from their past experiences of community service.)

• Which one of the list below struck you the most? (Think: from other people’s experiences)
  1. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” (Howard Thurman)
  2. “What the World Needs Now Is Love" (sung by Jackie DeShannon 1965)
  3. More wisdom
  4. Good leaders
  5. “God,” said Pope Benedict XVI.
  6. Clear vision and purpose of life
  7. Less complacency…more jobs…more food, healthcare, shelter…equal rights for women and children…

Listening Deeper

• What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?
• How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comforted? Anxious? Curious?
• Is there anything you would like to share after having heard another person share?

IV. Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Wrap-Up: Thank members for their openness and participation.
• Action:
  • Talk with your prayer partner about the meeting tonight.
• Announcements:
  • Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Pray for one another. End with Arrupe’s poem.