CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - As we walk through the final days before the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, our readings for daily Mass invite us to reflect on the response of the Virgin Mary to her unique and specific vocation. For example, we hear from the account in the first Chapter of Luke's Gospel when the Angel Gabriel issues the invitation from the Lord to Mary and we are challenged to consider Mary's response. (Luke 1)

Among the writings of the early Church Fathers we find these words from the Cappadocian Father, Gregory of Nyssa: "What came about in bodily form in Mary, the fullness of the godhead shining through Christ in the Blessed Virgin, takes place in a similar way in every soul that has been made pure. The Lord does not come in bodily form, for ´we no longer know Christ according to the flesh´, but He dwells in us spiritually and the Father takes up His abode with Him, the Gospel tells us. In this way the child Jesus is born in each of us."

Conversion happens when we say "Yes" with our words and our deeds to God's invitation to allow Him to be formed within us. We are then called to give Him to others. Every baptized Christian, no matter what our state in life, has been called to a special and unrepeatable response to the Lord's calling and the mission of the whole Church.Finding our specific vocation - and then living it fully and fruitfully - is the purpose of our lives. It is also the path to authentic human flourishing and fulfillment.

It has been a year since I received a copy of the DVD of a documentary film "The Calling",directed by David A. Rhanghelli. I receive a lot of requests to review movies. However, this movie arrived as a gift, at just the right time. Like many people, Christmas is an emotionally difficult time for me. There are many reasons - ranging from past experiences to an almost predictable bout with a cold or the flu - which tend to impede my fruitful preparation. Sadly, I experience Pre-Christmas melancholy.

The film was a gift from David and a remedy. It was followed by a kind E mail which I also appreciated. I sensed upon receiving the movie, that it was about more than a request for a review. I would soon find out how correct that sense was. The Movie deeply touched me at a critical time in my life. I remember opening the package and being drawn by the subtitle "Life is a calling, what is yours?"

I recently spoke with David to get an update on this extraordinary film. He told me the Calling has been honored nationally and internationally with (16) Official Selections to film festivals. The film has also already received (7) Nominations and won (4) Best Documentary and Cinematic Achievement Awards! It has been screened at (17) Catholic Universities. It was a featured Cinema presentation at the World Youth day in Madrid, Spain. 

David told me, "When I started making "The Calling" the intent was to document the deeply personal process of saying 'yes' to Christ's call. But, I never intended to make a 'vocation' film. I wanted the film to personalize these experiences, and give a voice to various viewpoints about it.

"There are characters in my film that question answering their own call. They express doubts and frustrations. Yet, it's these very emotional and honest moments that make the film real and accessible. Yet, it's these very emotional and honest moments that make the film real and accessible."

I would add a hearty "Amen". This is a beautiful film precisely because it is so very real, human and accessible.This is also what people need to read, hear and view. Following the Lord Jesus Christ as His disciple is for very real people. It is also not easy. But, when you find the treasure, there is no other way to live. 

From the beginning scene this film melted away my cynicism, rejuvenated my weary soul and restored within me the hope of the season and a deeper understanding of my own vocation, in all of its diversity and uniqueness. More than a movie; it is an invitation to a personal encounter with the God who is Love. Watching the film I was repeatedly moved to prayer, tears, repentance and reflection on the meaning of life and the beauty of the Christian vocation.

The film revolves around the deeper meaning of "vocation", a word whose etymology in the Latin gives us the essence of the film's claim that everyone has been summoned, called by God. The Latin root is "Voice". We are all are able to hear His voice. We choose to learn how to listen and we choose to respond. That hearing and responding paves the path of a life lived in the Lord. 

Father Phillip Scott is a priest in Tampa, Florida. He is a magnanimous, loving, charismatic priest whose genuine relationship with God is evident from the moment the ...