The reality of the American Catholic priesthood today is that priests are neither very abundant nor are they held in very high esteem by many of the so-called "movers and shakers" of our culture. The overall secular climate seems to often stifle a man's desire to choose the priesthood as a vocation. So why in the world would a man want to be a priest in 2003? The answer ultimately lies in the peace and joy of God.
We often experience joy when we encounter God in real and intimate ways. Such occasions can be things like the birth of a child, the celebration of a wedding anniversary, the comforting embrace of a good friend in a time of distress, and so on. These are key moments when God chooses to make his Spirit more acutely known and even felt. He breaks through, as it were, into our little worlds so that we will be reminded that his Hand of Providence is indeed in control of our lives.
When a man begins to discern the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood, God takes full charge of the situation. The calling is his initiative, it is his work, it is all for his glory. Therefore, if God desires a certain man to become a priest, and the man is truly open to God's will, then God will draw close to him, manifest to him abundant signs that the priesthood is the right calling, and bestow upon him sufficient grace to joyfully and generously follow the call.
From my point of view as a newly ordained priest, that is the answer to the perennial vocation question. God did it, not me. I did not always want to be a priest. I had rather hoped to manufacture a successful career as a professional musician. In the world's eyes, such would be a more promising and sensible "career". However, God did not want that for me. After he got me to fall in love with him, he unveiled the priesthood as the way for me to trod.
Sure, I was disappointed at first. I thought God was being ridiculous and downright unfair in making such a proposition. What about MY life? What about MY career? What about what I want?.... But then came his answer. This wasn't about my life or my choices. This was about his life, his life in me, his desiring me to be a priest simply because it's what he has always wanted for me.
Understanding this great truth that life is about doing God's work and not my own has brought me abundant peace and joy throughout my vocational journey. It has helped me accept joyfully and wholeheartedly what many might deem as an unattractive or unsatisfying life. To those comments I would have to reply: what is so unattractive about grace?, or is there ever anything unsatisfying in doing God's work?
I love being a priest, and would not want to be anything else in the world. I still play music and do many of the activities I used to do before becoming a priest, but now I do them under the glare of a new and glorious light!
Let us all pray that God's will be done more completely and fruitfully in our lives.
In Christ's Peace,
Fr. David Austin