"Called by Name" by Robert J. Furey

"Called by Name" by Robert J. Furey

Introduction:

Many books have been written on the theme of vocation or calling. This book speaks of a more specialized concept of vocation: calling. Author Robert J. Furey, a psychotherapist by profession, speaks about callings from the perspective of a counselor. He guides his readers to see how God, in His wisdom, personally asks each one of us to do something that only we can do. Furey encourages the reader to discover for himself that unique call or mission, that defines him and makes him more aware of God who calls him by his own name.

Callings equip us with courage and abilities

According to Furey, the mystery of God's call equips each one with the miracle of having the perfect combination of abilities to meet the challenges inherent in his specific call. Initially, as is usual in anything unknown or part of God's mystery, fear is present and felt in truth. But author Furey writes that once a leap of faith is made, courage miraculously materializes and the person's particular path in life becomes clearer. A specific direction emerges and looms before him. When that person discovers the calling's origin, he eventually realizes that it comes from God.

The book is sourced from many materials

This book by Furey comes from a number of sources. Although the concept of calling is often associated with the Christian faith, Furey draws also from other disciplines: psychology, philosophy, literature, medicine, anthropology, management studies, political science, biology, and history. However, with all these materials and sources he integrates in his work, he humbly states that the book is an explanation of the nature of calling, and does not presume to be the explanation. He further writes that the book is more of an introduction to the nature of calling rather than a conclusion. According to him, the final word on the mystery of God's call really belongs to the reader himself and to God.

The chapters of the book

Below is an outline of the chapters of the book. The book is easy reading. It is light and brief, spanning only 166 pages. For those privileged with time, it can be read in one sitting:

• Callings
• A Well-Known Secret
• Callings Denied
• Callings Found
• Hearing Your Calling, Seeing Your Vision, Finding Your Mission
• Conclusion

Final words by the author

Towards the end of the book, Furey writes with an inspiring thought:

"There are no small callings. Each one of us is called to make a great contribution. Each calling invites us to do wonderful things in our lives. Some visions lead to fame and fortune; others do not. But each calling is equally significant and necessary.

If we listen for our callings and live the missions we have been given, we will receive the power, courage, awareness, and passion to move the mountains that wait for us. All the while we will be moving closer to the force that calls us by name, closer to the force that sends the breeze."

The People Israel and the "Promised Land"

"The Promised Land" - A biblical history of the Hebrew people and their struggle for land.

The Hebrew people had their faith and their history intertwined. Much of how they struggled for land can be seen in biblical history. Other sources of their history are based on archaeological evidences. This article will focus on the former: their struggle for land according to the Scriptures.

The Fertile Crescent

From the earliest times, the Fertile Crescent was already the scene of a fierce struggle for land. This coveted area was periodically invaded by peoples from Arabia, Asia Minor, the Caucasian highlands, or Egypt - peoples who sought a strip of the good earth to call their own, or who fought to expand their territory, at the expense of others. Palestine by virtue of its geographical location was inevitably drawn into this incessant conflict. This little country, sometimes called Canaan, was the place where small nations fought for living space, and where big nations fought their wars. It was in this little country that the Hebrews came. Like other people in the ancient world, they were at first a landless people. Their faith in Yahweh, their God, led them to conquer land in order to fulfill their historical destiny. This led them to engage in conflict with many Canaanite natives. It was their faith in Yahweh that helped them win.

The Conquest of Canaan

In the book of Deuteronomy, the elevation of Joshua to leadership was a factor in the conquest of Canaan (see Deuteronomy chapter 34 and the book of Joshua). In Joshua 1:1-9, we see Yahweh summoning Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land - a land extending from the southern wilderness to the high Lebanon ranges to the north...even beyond to the river Euphrates (see Genesis 15:18). Joshua is told that this segment of the Fertile Crescent will be Israel's land if they follow one condition: that the "book of the law" (the Deuteronomic Law) must be obeyed and studied diligently (Joshua 1:7-9). This is the key to success. Obedience to Yahweh's commands will be rewarded with victory and prosperity; but disobedience will bring the divine judgment of suffering and failure.

The Geography of Canaan

Canaan was the original name of the land that was in dispute between many peoples. (Palestine became its later name.) The most striking topographical feature of this land is the central backbone of hill country lying between the deep cleft of the Jordan and the coastland of the Mediterranean. The hill country is cut, in the area of Mount Carmel, by a valley known as Jezreel (or Esdraelon), which gives access to the Jordan Valley. In ancient times, the main military and commercial highway from Egypt to Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) ran along the coast, then turned into the Valley of Jezreel and veered northward to Damascus (in present day Syria). Important fortified cities were located along this route - notably Megiddo, which guarded the pass leading from the southern coastal plain into the Valley of Jezreel. Many decisive battles, both ancient and modern, have been fought for the control of this strategic pass and for the fertile valley.

Israel's Conquest of Canaan

Joshua 1-12 sets forth the dramatic story of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In this story, we see how Joshua, through the help of Yahweh, won the land in three swift, decisive military campaigns. The whole land was given to the invading Israel tribes in a holy war "because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel" (Joshua 10:42). The thoroughness of the conquest is detailed in Joshua 11:16-23. This story is the view of the Deuteronomistic historian, from which the traditions of this bibical narrative are sourced from. The writer uses these traditions: tribal stories, cultic legends, and maybe material from the Old Epic tradition that is also found in the other books of the Bible - Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers.

Evidence from Archaeology

With regard to the situation in Canaan (Palestine), the archaeological picture is blurred. On one hand, there is clear evidence that some fortified cities were violently destroyed, as indicated by layers of ash. On the other hand, some fortified cities that Joshua took, according to what the bible says, were not destroyed. This archaeological period is said to be the transition from the Late Bronze period (c. 1550-1200 B.C.E.) to the Early Iron period (c. 1200-900 B.C.E.). According to Joshua 6:24, Jericho was burned to the ground. However, archaeological investigation shows that the wall which supposedly "came tumbling down" actually dates back to the third millenium B.C.E. (before the Common Era) and was destroyed in the middle of the sixteenth century. Though this archaeological evidence may blur our knowledge of what the bible says of Israel's conquest of Canaan, we must see that archaeological evidences are meant to shed light on the truth and not to prove or disprove the biblical record.

Related resources:

"Understanding the Old Testament", by Bernhard W. Anderson

Memorial of Saints (November 13)

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini tried to enter the convent twice, but was declined admission for health reasons. She became a schoolteacher instead. But when the local bishop encouraged her to become a missionary, Frances organized a small community of sisters in 1880 A.D. She received papal approbation for her community in 1887 A.D. (her Rule would be approved years later). Her community took the name Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Upon seeking an audience with Pope Leo XIII, her community was commissioned to take care of some 50,000 Italian immigrants in the USA. They started their work in New York, and then extended it to Chicago, New Orleans and other USA cities. Frances and her communities also extended their work and foundation to France, Spain, Italy and in the other parts of the Americas (died 1917 A.D.).

St. Stanislaus Kostka walked from Vienna to Rome to plead his case with the Pope, because the Jesuit provincial in Vienna refused to admit him to the novitiate. On his way to Rome, Stanislaus encountered St. Peter Canisius, who encouraged the young man in his desire for a Jesuit vocation, but tested him by assigning him to menial tasks. Eventually, the master general of the Jesuits, St. Francis Borgia, accepted the young man. Stanislaus became a Jesuit novice, but died nine months after his admission to the novitiate. Stanislaus was known for his studious ways, deep religious fervor, and mortifications (died ca. 1568 A.D.).

St. Homobonus was a tailor and a cloth merchant in Cremona, Lombardy, in northwest Italy. He was so generous to the poor that he was called the "Father of the Poor". Of a middle-class family, he was canonized a saint only two years after his death - and during a time when almost all canonizations were for bishops, monks, martyrs and royal personages. St. Homobonus is the patron saint of tailors, shoemakers, garment workers, merchants and business people (died ca. 1197 A.D.).

St. Didacus lived as a recluse in his youth under the guidance of a priest. He then became a Franciscan lay brother at Arrizafa. He was sent to the missions in the Canary Islands, and then spent his last years in Franciscan friaries in Seville, Salcedo and Alcalā. St. Didacus was noted for his healing powers and miracles (died ca. 1463 A.D.).

St. Arcadius was a married man with children. He and his children were all exiled to Africa by Arian King Genseric, when they refused to adhere to the Arian beliefs. The Roman Martyrology records that they were tortured and the put to death. Listed among the children of St. Arcadius were: Paschasius, Eutychian, and Paulillus (died ca. 437 A.D.).

St. Brice was brought up by St. Martin of Tours. Before his change of heart, Brice became vain, overly ambitious, and held Martin in contempt. Despite this attitude, St. Martin was very patient with Brice. In time, Brice felt remorse and asked Martin's forgiveness. Eventually, he succeeded St. Martin as bishop of Tours in 397 A.D., but upon taking office, he reverted back to his old self. Because he neglected the needs of his diocese, Brice was exiled. He went to Rome and in the years of his exile there, he repented and mended his ways. Brice was able to return to his diocese and ruled it with such humility and holiness that he was venerated by the people at the time of his death (died ca. 444 A.D.).

St. Eugenius of Toledo became a cleric in the cathedral of Toledo, Spain, under St. Helladius. He then decided to become a monk at Saragossa. When he was appointed bishop of Toledo in 647 A.D., it was against his wishes, but he had to accede. He administered the see very well and was also known to be a good musician and poet - with writings that are still preserved to this day (died ca. 657 A.D.).

St. Maxellendis fled into hiding when her father insisted that she marry Harduin of Solesmes. It was against her wishes because she planned to enter a convent. Harduin and several of his friends sought her. When Maxellendis was discovered, she fought and struggled strongly against them. In his rage, Harduin killed Maxellendis. In an instant, Harduin was struck blind. When Maxellendis' body was brought to Caudry, Harduin begged forgiveness before Maxellendis' coffin and suddenly his sight was restored (died ca. 670 A.D.).

St. Kilian was a relative of St. Fiacre - an Irish hermit who was given large tracts of land for him to develop and build a hospice for travellers. Nothing much is known of Kilian save for his being born in Ireland and becoming a missionary to Artois, in Gaul (died ca. 7th century A.D.).

St. Nicholas I was elected pope in April 22, 858 A.D. and exhibited the courage and energy by which he became known. He insisted on the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage. Aside from concerning himself with the politics of his time, Nicholas also encouraged missionary activities. He sent St. Anskar as a missionary to Scandinavia and also sent missionaries to Bulgaria. But his noted achievement as pope was to restore the papacy to its highest prestige, without neglecting also the apostolates to the poor, matters of justice, and the reforms needed in the Church (died ca. 867 A.D.).

St. Abbo of Fleury entered the monastery of Fleury-sur-Loire, in present-day France. In 986 A.D., he became director of the monastery school in Ramsey, Huntingtonshire, England. When he returned to Fleury, he was elected abbot. St. Abbo became a diplomat - settling disputes and mediating between warring factions. Because of his zeal for peace, he was killed. Abbo was also widely known as a scholar and a writer (died ca. 1004 A.D.).

Sts. Nicholas Tavelic, Adeodatus Aribert, Stephen of Cueno and Peter Narbonne were Friar Minors. Nicholas was sent as a missionary to Bosnia and evangelized the people there for 20 years. Then he was sent to Palestine for another mission. It was here that he was arrested and imprisoned for preaching the Christian faith to the Moslems. Arrested together with him were: Adeodatus, Stephen and Peter. The four were hacked to death in Jerusalem (died ca. 1391 A.D.).

Sts. Aloysius Versiglia and Callistus Caravario were Salesians of Don Bosco. Aloysius led the first Salesian mission to China. After 15 years, he was consecrated bishop. Callistus was also sent to China as a missionary. Bishop Aloysius ordained Callistus and appointed him Vicariate of Shiu Chow in 1929 A.D. When the two missionaries defended the safety and virtue of three young Chinese women, they were arrested and put to death (died ca. 1930 A.D.).