It's God's Call...Not Ours

The other night my husband asked our 14-yr-old son if he had ever thought about becoming a priest.

"Yeah, I've thought about it," we were surprised to hear him say.  You'd have to know how shy this child is to fully appreciate this. Then he said hesitantly, "But I think it'd be too hard."

"Why?" we both asked in unison.  I figured he'd begin a litany of things he would have to "give up".

Instead, his answer was: "Well, a couple of things actually.  One, I'd have to get up in front of people and talk..."

Ah, yeah, that's a kicker.  I understand that that is the #1 biggest fear of individuals.

"...and, two would be...I'd have to go to Mass every day!  Don't know if I could do that"

Oh, yeah, there is that.

So today he went to a Boys' Day Out at my friend Karen's wonderful house...one of those Welsh women. I knew it was more of a Boys' Retreat but I didn't tell him that.  Ya know, Boys' Day Out always sounds more fun than "Listen, kiddo, you're going on a retreat...like it or not."

Of course those Welsh women know how to throw a good time.  They supply lots and lots of food and stay out of the boys' way.  LOL!  There was football and pizza and cold drinks and...four seminarians who gave talks throughout the day.

And Garrett had lots to say about them and their talks.  One seminarian was in his 40's, one in his 30's and two others in their 20's.  And they each talked about their decision to become priests and lead a life completely devoted to Christ and His Church.

"And you know what, Mom?" Garrett said with mocked shock.  "One of them, the guy in his 40's, was a doctor and quit practice to become a priest!  And another one said he never considered becoming a priest either.  He said someone once asked him and he thought 'Not me.  No way am I ever becoming a priest.'  I guess he didn't like sitting in church everyday either."

Um, perhaps.

"Anyway, he said he loved playing sports and had plans of becoming a sports broadcaster..."

I could tell this guy had spoken right to the heart of my son. "Well, honey, that's just the thing. We never know when God will call us or what he'll call us to do.  Remember, Moses wasn't a great public speaker either.  We just have to listen for God's call..."

"Hey, that's what those seminarian guys told us!"

Um, no kidding.

Please offer a Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

Comments

[Matthew]

Well...one of those seminarians must be from another diocese (most likely Lafayette) since Lake Charles does not have any 40-something seminarians.
Yea, like Garrett found out, most priests never thought they could do it, and alot didn't even think about it till later in life.
It's about using the gifts God has given to each of us.
This post was very encouraging.

[Matthew]

and not just "go to Mass every day" , but say Mass. Which any priests will tell you is the most incredible and awe-filling part of being a priest. I'd like to show the Gibson's "Fishers of Men" before I go back.