Petrus Johannes Hanekom, Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (NELCSA). Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
South African vicar and LWF Council member reflects on the shared vocation to meet the needs of others
“The commandments ... are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom 13:9-10).
In this life, we are surrounded by many needs. We are also surrounded by many gifts. This is so basic to our existence that we seldom reflect on it. Yet it is a fact. Take my daily routine for example: I wake up each morning, thirsty, and hungry. I have needs: for water (or better still a good coffee) and, so too, my daily bread. Come to think of it, most mornings I wake up with the perceived need for more sleep as well, but that is a different matter altogether. Anyway, I begin my day with certain obvious needs. And yet, as I get up and draw the curtains and look out into the world, I see that I do not only have needs. I also have gifts – the gift of sunlight playing on the tree branches, a little bird greeting the new day with a new song, and a few neighbors walking down the street, each carrying their own bundle of needs and gifts.
You might be wondering, what has any of this to do with St Paul's words to the Romans? A lot, I would say. You see, I did not randomly select this text. I took it from the very end of Luther's Table of Duties in the Small Catechism. Throughout this final part of the Catechism, Luther provides “[c]ertain passages of Scripture for various holy orders and positions, admonishing [us] about [our] duties and responsibilities.” In other words, Luther offers us a few words about our vocation – our calling. In the first three groupings, the three basic arenas of life are addressed: our life in the church, in the state, and in the family. In these groupings there are specific calls to persons in specific categories (the clergy, laity, magistrates, husbands, wives, children, workers, employers, youths and widows). But the last part is a common call to everyone. And that is exactly where our text comes in: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It is the mandate for living between needs and gifts: love.
Our vocation is in the very places where we answer God’s common call of serving our neighbors’ needs.
Petrus Johannes Hanekom, Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa
Our vocation is in the very places where we answer God’s common call of serving our neighbors’ needs with the good gifts we have been given. God does not need our vocation, but our neighbors do. And so, whether we live out our calling behind the altar, out in the fields, in the office, at home with the children, or in the lecture hall, our labor answers God’s calling to serve the neighbor. Not in self-centered pursuit of money alone, or fame alone or even fulfillment alone. No. Rather, in selfless love, pursuing the good of the other, carrying the crosses that come with service and bearing the yoke of Christ – for God's sake.
So, as you ponder your calling in life, I leave you with these questions:
1. What needs do you see around you? Think closer home, the needs of your church, society, community, and neighbors.
2. What gifts have you been given? Think not only of your talents and abilities, but also of your passions.
3. Where do your gifts overlap with your neighbors’ needs? Think, discern, whether this is not precisely where God is calling you to serve.
Once you hear the call, all that is left to do is follow. An adventure awaits you.
This post is part of the LWF Youth theological series called “Global Faith Unfiltered.” It features reflections from young theologians on the most pressing issues and topics across their communities, from a perspective of the priorities highlighted at the 2023 LWF Assembly.
