Judaism has no over-arching statement of faith, catechism or official creed. This passage from Deuteronomy, however, may be the closest thing it has of that variety. We might think of this as the core of a biblical system of belief.
Deuteronomy 6.4-9.pdf
The ordinary becomes something extraordinary when God is involved. The work of the Holy Spirit does not have to look supernatural. He works through our work, using earthly materials and very human capabilities.
In this passage we will hear Peter’s instructions regarding the Christian attitude toward authority – and it is extremely instructive to us. Writing from Rome, and living under the tyranny of a maniac who would later literally crucify him, he tells us to submit.
The ideas of vocation and calling have been vanquished from our thinking in recent years. We’re now far more comfortable with a job, occupation or career. Personally I attribute this shift to the fact that a calling requires a Caller (note the cap C) – and we no longer want anything to do with such a being. Nonetheless, if we accept the Caller’s existence, a calling gives meaning to our work, making it more of a vocation than anything else.
Central Reflections 