John Neafsey is a clinical psychologist in private practice and a staff member at the Chicago Heartland Alliance Marjorie Kovler Center, a treatment center for survivors of torture. He was a member of the Seminar on Vocation Across the Lifespan at the Collegeville Institute. He is the author of two other books A Sacred Voice Is Calling and Crucified People.
The words of the prophets teach us the meanings of conscience and calling. Even as God told Jesus that he was his beloved son, we are challenged to see ourselves as sons and daughters of the Most Holy One. It is thereafter imperative that we show ourselves to be God's caring people.
For example, those who seek to resist drones as killing machines have to be willing and able to endure possible prison time. Many modern day saints are willing to take on this calling. Others follow Jesus by taking on the role of being a nobody or a person of no rank. Whereas this culture exalts upward mobility, the path of acting justly and loving gently is a path of humility:
"As long as we are honest with ourselves, humility tends to take care of itself. We can concentrate on being useful, on putting one foot in front of the other, and remember that God is walking with us every step of the way."
