Before a person becomes a priest or a religious, the person would have gone through many years of formation, as part of a discernment process on whether the person is really suitable for priesthood or religious life. When a person has applied to enter the seminary or formation house and has been accepted, then it is the person’s responsibility to be committed in going through the formation. This means that the person should not treat formation lightly, and do his or her best to discern carefully and continuously whether such a life is what he or she really wants. Once the person is ordained or has made the final profession, then the person should remain committed to his or her vocation. Likewise, a person who chooses to get married should be committed in staying married.
In today’s reading, St. Paul implores us: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called.” St. Paul is reminding us to be true and committed to the vocation we have chosen, since vocation is a life-long commitment and not something we can change as if we are changing clothes. Let us not be hypocrites in the way we live, but be genuine and true to our vocation.