BUFFY: (walks up to Dawn from the kitchen, followed by Xander) Hey. You OK?
DAWN: Yeah, I was thinking of hitting the books. Do some research on The First. It's in retreat mode right now, but you're still gonna need to know how to fight it.
BUFFY: Great. Sounds good. (to the slayers-in-training) Hey, you guys, wanna head downstairs? Get our newest arrival up to speed?
(they all file out, only Amanda acknowledging Dawn's existence. Xander lingers)
DAWN: (to Xander) What's up?
XANDER: Aw, I'm just thinking about the girls. It's a harsh gig, being a potential. Just being picked out of a crowd, danger, destiny, (grins) plus if you act now, death.
DAWN: They can handle it.
XANDER: Yeah. They're special, no doubt. The amazing thing is, not one of them will ever know, not even Buffy.
DAWN: Know what?
XANDER: How much harder it is for the rest of us.
DAWN: No way. They've got?
XANDER: Seven years, Dawn. Working with the slayer. Seeing my friends get more and more powerful. A witch. A demon. Hell, I could fit Oz in my shaving kit, but come a full moon, he had a wolfy mojo not to be messed with. Powerful. All of them. And I'm the guy who fixes the windows.
DAWN: Well, you had that sexy army training for a while, and?and the windows really did need fixing.
XANDER: I saw what you did last night.
DAWN: Yeah, I? (embarrassed) I guess I kinda lost my head when I thought I was the slayer.
XANDER: You thought you were all special. Miss Sunnydale 2003. And the minute you found out you weren't, you handed the crown to Amanda without a moment's pause. You gave her your power.
DAWN: (shrugs) The power wasn't mine.
XANDER: They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie, to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me. I saw you last night. I see you working here today. You're not special. You're extraordinary. (stands, kisses her forehead, starts to walk out of the room)
DAWN: (tears welling in her eyes, calls after him) Maybe that's your power.
XANDER: What?
DAWN: Seeing. Knowing.
XANDER: Maybe it is. Maybe I should get a cape.
DAWN: Cape is good.
XANDER: Yeah. (leaves the room)
DAWN: Yeah, I was thinking of hitting the books. Do some research on The First. It's in retreat mode right now, but you're still gonna need to know how to fight it.
BUFFY: Great. Sounds good. (to the slayers-in-training) Hey, you guys, wanna head downstairs? Get our newest arrival up to speed?
(they all file out, only Amanda acknowledging Dawn's existence. Xander lingers)
DAWN: (to Xander) What's up?
XANDER: Aw, I'm just thinking about the girls. It's a harsh gig, being a potential. Just being picked out of a crowd, danger, destiny, (grins) plus if you act now, death.
DAWN: They can handle it.
XANDER: Yeah. They're special, no doubt. The amazing thing is, not one of them will ever know, not even Buffy.
DAWN: Know what?
XANDER: How much harder it is for the rest of us.
DAWN: No way. They've got?
XANDER: Seven years, Dawn. Working with the slayer. Seeing my friends get more and more powerful. A witch. A demon. Hell, I could fit Oz in my shaving kit, but come a full moon, he had a wolfy mojo not to be messed with. Powerful. All of them. And I'm the guy who fixes the windows.
DAWN: Well, you had that sexy army training for a while, and?and the windows really did need fixing.
XANDER: I saw what you did last night.
DAWN: Yeah, I? (embarrassed) I guess I kinda lost my head when I thought I was the slayer.
XANDER: You thought you were all special. Miss Sunnydale 2003. And the minute you found out you weren't, you handed the crown to Amanda without a moment's pause. You gave her your power.
DAWN: (shrugs) The power wasn't mine.
XANDER: They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie, to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me. I saw you last night. I see you working here today. You're not special. You're extraordinary. (stands, kisses her forehead, starts to walk out of the room)
DAWN: (tears welling in her eyes, calls after him) Maybe that's your power.
XANDER: What?
DAWN: Seeing. Knowing.
XANDER: Maybe it is. Maybe I should get a cape.
DAWN: Cape is good.
XANDER: Yeah. (leaves the room)
Xander, the handsome yet goofy friend of Buffy points to the biggest misunderstanding of vocation. Often as noted, vocation is understood in its smallest sense - the callings of those who professionally work in the religious world - churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. This is what Dawn is struggling with (although not in a religious sense) as she is feeling depleted, sensing that she is less than she truly is and that she doesn't have a vocation because she isn't a potential slayer. Xander steps in and points to his own 'normalcy' as he illuminates the vocation and calling of all people, regardless of stature or role. He acknowledges the worth of all people and the individual callings of each, all the while commenting on how difficult it is to be 'normal' in today's society of titles, and position.
Martin Luther spoke to this very equity found in the vocation of all people, and reminded us all not to elevate ourselves above anyone else. "Therefore let us not exalt ourselves above others because we are above them by reason of our position; but let us acknowledge that although in this life grace has many forms and there are various kinds of vocations, the same God is the God of all, whether they are slaves or free, whether they are rich or poor, provided that they hold fast to the Word and persevere in the faith." 1
We all have been gifted with a vocation and calling, indeed a holy calling. For God has, "called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace." [2 Timothy 1:9] How we live into our vocations and callings is the joy of our life journey together as community.
Who has affirmed your calling in your life?
How can you help to affirm the vocations of others in your life?
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