The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13: 44)
Discerning the Lord’s Call
Like every Christian vocation, the call of a Little Brother of the Lamb is a gift from God, a particular calling within the Church, which has to be discerned.
One day St. Francis, upon hearing the Gospel proclaimed, recognized in the words being read in the church the call that God had already placed upon his heart. He thus exulted with joy! “This is what I want! This is what I desire! This is what I, with all of my heart, am burning to accomplish!”
And in the Psalms, we read, The lot marked out for me is my delight. So many “friends of God” over the ages were keenly aware that Our God is pure goodness; He is love, and He desires nothing but our greatest good. For this reason, we need not fear to open ourselves up to God’s call, wherever it may lead. A vocation is a gift from God which corresponds with the deep and sometimes hidden longings of our hearts. The task of discerning one’s vocation is primarily one of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, placing our trust in Him, and then letting ourselves be led along the “path of life” which the Lord longs to show us, to be guided into all the happiness that He has prepared for us.
The Vocation of a Little Brother
The life of a Little Brother of the lamb is in many ways quite simple. It is a life consecrated to God, in the heart of the Church, lived in fraternal communion and prayer, studying the Word of God, and proclaiming the Gospel through mendicant poverty. It is a daily school of abandonment to divine providence and a constant commitment to humble and joyful service, striving together as a community to live out the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
He Guides the Humble in the Right Path (Ps 25: 9)
“I thank you Father,” prayed Our Lord, “that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little ones.” These words of Jesus have inspired our community from the beginning. They remind us that the call of a disciple is not so much to know all the answers, but rather to remain like humble children who receive everything from their Father. This disposition of little ones, of beggars before God, is the only one we can recommend for those seeking to discern their vocation.
Your Word is a Lamp for My Steps (Ps 119: 105)
Be beggars of His Word. His Word is a lamp for our steps and a light for our path. Every day, we are blessed that the Church offers us a passage from the Gospels. It is to be our “daily bread;” “For man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” We find in the scriptures Him, “the Word,” Our Lord Jesus Christ. By this Word we were created, and by this Word we can be everyday transformed and recreated, healed of our spiritual diseases, converted back to Him, and led step by step into the plan of loving goodness which is our vocation.
O that My People Would Hear Me (Ps 81: 14)
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,” says Christ. He Himself is the beggar who stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, waiting to encounter us each day by His Word. Pray with the Gospel each day. Let it give light and life to your soul. Let it guide your path. Let it lead you back to your heart, with all its questions, its desires, its aspirations. God knows them all.
Repeat the words of the daily Gospel. Manducate them; ruminate over them. Let them take root in your life. Pay attention to how they reveal to you: who God is, who you are, and what the Lord is calling you to, here and now. This experience will give depth and substance to your discernment, and will help prepare you for whatever the Lord calls you to.
To Speak to a Little Brother
If you have questions about discerning with the Community of the Lamb and would like to speak with a little brother, feel free to e-mail
vocations[@]communityofthelamb.org
and a little brother will get back to you within a couple of days. In your message, it is best to provide some basic information about yourself to give us a bit of context, and then of course to pose your questions.
Some Additional Words of Encouragement from the Church
“In order to discover the life-project that will make you completely happy, listen to God. He has a loving plan for each one of you. You can confidently ask him: “Lord, what is your plan, as Creator and Father, for my life? What is your will? I want to carry it out.” You can be certain that he will answer you. Do not be afraid of his answer! “For God is greater than our hearts and knows everything” (1 Jn 3:20).” -Pope Benedict XVI
“The world pushes you to make hasty decisions and bombards you with a constant blare that prevents you from experiencing a silence that is open to God who speaks to the heart. Have the courage to pause, to listen to what your heart tells you, and to ask God about his dreams for you.” -Pope Francis