A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience

by John Neafsey; Orbis Books
Book Review by Donna Graham, OSF

How do we know when we are doing what we are meant to do in life? How can we be assured that at the end of our life we will feel that we have lived it well?  John Neafsey draws on his experience as both a clinical psychologist and college theology teacher to provide guidance for all those seeking their vocation, their calling in life. He leads the reader on the path of discerning their authentic calling in the midst of the competing, counterfeit voices in our culture. Weaving together spirituality and psychology and referencing a number of different religious and native traditions, he challenges the reader to listen, to discern and then to live the truth discovered. He reminds us that the call isn’t only for ourselves, but a response to the cry of the poor and suffering. In his words, “Vocation is not only about ‘me’ and my personal fulfillment, but about ‘us’ and the common good. In [Frederick] Buechner’s words, our callings are found in the places where our ‘deep gladness’ and the ‘world’s deep hunger’ meet, on the holy ground where our heart’s desire comes together with what the world needs from us.”