Think Vocations 2024 – Part Two

Bulletin and Website Notices for Parishes

Ordinary Sundays 2024 (to Christ the King 2024)

Here, we continue our brief reflections drawn from the Mass readings for each Sunday throughout the months ahead, helping to prompt some consideration and prayer about vocations to priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. By making use of them in parish Bulletins, websites or social media feeds, you might just be dropping a little suggestion to someone that God might be calling him or her to follow Him in a life of service to the Church.

The image at the top of the page is a famous painting by a French artist called James Tissot of the call of Saints Peter and Andrew, as we meet them in the Gospel of Mark, our lead Gospel each Sunday in 2024, Year B in the liturgical cycle. As Mark describes the scene, the men have cast their nets into the lake. They stand in the shallows, close to the shore, with their nets tied to their waists so that they can more easily pull in their catch. (This was how Tissot saw fishermen working on the Sea of Galilee in 19th century.) Jesus calls to them and they, without a word, leave their nets to follow him.

Although this Gospel passage (Mark 1:16-18) appeared in the Liturgy back on the Third Sunday of the Year, for Mark the relationship between Jesus and those who follow him – especially Peter – is a constant theme, and one which recurs in some form each Sunday. The call to follow Jesus should echo in our own ears, as it constantly challenges us to reflect on how our “following” is going. Am I still responding as I should? Am I really listening to him call me? Am I ready to let go of the things I cherish or to which I cling for security?

The Call of the Fishermen can be a story we keep in our minds all this year, as disciples trying to live the Master’s ways. But especially as we consider that special call to leave all and follow him in the service of others, to be “fishers of men” as priests, deacons or in consecrated life. Who will you help hear the Master’s call to consider this radical way of serving and living the Gospel?

The brief reflections which follow can be copied into your weekly parish or school newsletter or other publications. You may want to copy and paste them onto your website as a banner message or news item, to place a link to this page as a whole there, or to use them as Facebook or Twitter posts on or around the relevant Sunday. We continue using the format we have used previously, streamlining the contact details etc. (Note that some posts may be a bit long for Twitter, but they can be edited by removing the email link and/or some of the contact information.)

Remember to tag us when you post (@priestsforscot) or use the hashtags #thinkvocations2024 or #vocation2024.

(Note: The texts below contain hyperlinks which may not be replicated in a “cut-and-paste” operation.)

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Sundays in Ordinary Time

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 7th July 2024
The people of Israel might not always listen, but a prophet has to be sent to bring them God’s word – whether of consolation or of warning. Could you be the one the Lord wants to send to his People today, to speak his word as a priest or deacon? Talk to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 14th July 2024
Jesus sends the Twelve out on their first taste of mission. Might he be sending you too on mission to the world today? Speak to your local Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or check out Facebook (PFS or Vocation Network Scotland) for more.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 21st July 2024
“He saw a large crowd and took pity on them” Jesus cares for the crowds as a shepherd. Could He be inviting you to share his pastoral love for His people as a priest, religious or deacon? Contact your local Vocations Director or Priests for Scotland (www.pfs.org.uk) for advice and support.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 28th July2024
Jesus feeds the crowds until all are satisfied. He feeds us now with the sacraments and with His word. Could you join him in that service as priest, deacon or in consecrated life? Call your Vocations Director or contact Priests for Scotland.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 4th August 2024
“Work for food that endures to eternal life.” The work of the priest is to lead people to eternal life, by sharing with them the Gospel and the Bread of Life. Could you be called to enter into that work? Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website. See these Facebook pages for more: PFS or Vocation Network Scotland.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 11th August 2024
“I am the Bread of Life.” Without the Eucharist there is no Church; without the priesthood there is no Eucharist. Are you being called to bring Jesus toothers in the gift of the Eucharist? Speak to your local Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland).

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 18th August 2024
Our Gospel today continues the teaching on Jesus, the Bread of Life. The Eucharist is the most precious gift we have, and it is our priests who bring it to us. Could you be called to live a life of Eucharistic service? Speak to your Diocesan Vocations Director, or contact Priests for Scotland for more information.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – 25th August 2024
“What about you?” The question Jesus asks Peter is a question he asks us all. How will you respond? Speak to your Diocesan Vocations Director or visit the Priests for Scotland website or our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland).

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 1st September 2024
“Accept the word which has been planted in you” (Second Reading). The word of God planted within you is calling you to some specific service. Could that be in the priesthood or consecrated life? Speak to a Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or visit our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland).

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 8th September 2024
“Courage! Do not be afraid!” The opening words of today’s First Reading resound as we enter into Vocations Awareness Week this year. What are you afraid of? Pray for courageous responders to the call to serve – or be one! Speak to your Vocations Director, visit the Priests for Scotland website or have a look at the Facebook pages PFS or VocationNetworkScotland for advice.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 15th September 2024
“Take up your cross and follow me” Discipleship is not easy. Following Jesus involves giving of ourselves for him and others. Could you take up the challenges of the priestly or consecrated life in order to bring other to know him? Visit our website or Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more information.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 22nd September 2024
“To be first, be last of all and servant of all.” Could you lay down your life for Jesus and for others as a priest, deacon or in consecrated life? Could you be the servant of all in that way? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland via our website or visit our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland).

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 29th September 2024
“If only the whole people were prophets!” Are you being called to help people recognise the Spirit at work in them and the word of God they hear? Could you be a prophet and help others be prophets for Christ as a priest, deacon or consecrated person? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland via our website or see Facebook, PFS or VocationNetworkScotland.

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 6th October 2024
The Gospel speaks of the dignity of the vocation to marriage. Are you called to take a different path, to the celibate life of a priest or consecrated person? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland via our website or see the vocations Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more information.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 13th October 2024
The rich young man in the Gospel today can’t leave all to follow Jesus. Could you? Perhaps God is calling you to priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life? How do you respond? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or visit our website or Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more information.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 20th October 2024
On this Mission Sunday, consider if the Lord is calling you to share in the mission of the Church as a priest, deacon or in consecrated life? The mission to the wide world is great! Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland via our website or see the Facebook pages PFS or VocationNetworkScotland for more.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 27th October 2024
“Every high priest has been taken from men to act in their relations with God” Are you being called from your current life to offer yourself as priest, deacon or in apostolic life? No one chooses it for himself, but the call is God’s. Contact your Vocations Director, Priests for Scotland or visit our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time – 3rd November2024
The commandments to love God and love our neighbour are at the heart of the Gospel. We are all called to live them, but some are called to help others live them and apply them to life. Are you being called to preach and witness to them? Contact a Vocations Director, Priests for Scotland or visit our Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 10th November2024
Christ’s priesthood is eternal (Second Reading). Are you being called to share in it, through the sacrament of Holy Orders? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or see our website or Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 17th November2024
“Those who instructed many in virtue will shine as bright as stars” (First Reading). The ministry of teaching the Gospel and its values is a noble one. COuld you be call edot this as priest, deacon or religious? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or see our website or Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more.

Solemnity of Christ, Universal King – 24th November2024
Christ’s kingship is that of service and sacrifice. Are you being called to share in that leadership of service in the Church? Speak to your Vocations Director, contact Priests for Scotland or see our website or Facebook pages (PFS or VocationNetworkScotland) for more.