For the past year or so, ever since I first started on my path toward becoming Catholic, I've had thoughts about the priesthood. It is something that I've more or less been feeling drawn toward -- the idea of being a priest, anyway -- and I would certainly be thankful to God if He were to choose me for the priesthood. I really don't know if this is the case or not yet, but it's something that I've almost been planning on in the back of my mind.
I went on a little date with a girl yesterday, and it brought up some feelings that, I guess, have been lying dormant within me for a long time -- and no, not those feelings. What I mean is, feelings of longing for a deep, serious, meaningful relationship with a woman. A girlfriend. Someone to love. I want that. It is something that I have not experienced in over two years.
Suddenly the idea of the priesthood seems so lonely to me. I don't know if I could do it; I don't know if I am cut out for it. I understand that when God calls a man to be a priest (and a woman to be a nun), He -- for lack of a better term -- "hooks them up" in such a way spiritually that they don't feel that chilling loneliness; they will feel perfectly happy and content without a partner and without children because their partner is God, and their children are the people they minister to.
I guess what I'm getting at in my round-about way is, could this feeling of longing within me be a sign that God wants me to forget about my ideas of the priesthood? Does He want me to go forth and be in a relationship? I don't know.
Thanks for listening. I'm open to any advice, comments, etc.
Full Version: Crossroad
maybe. The only way to really know is to take the seriuos time in prayer to ask Jesus. Make him the goal though, not the vocation.
If you focus on Jesus and keep him in the center of your life, You will know your vocation.
If you focus on Jesus and keep him in the center of your life, You will know your vocation.
QUOTE(jezic @ Sep 18 2005, 10:51 PM)
maybe. The only way to really know is to take the seriuos time in prayer to ask Jesus. Make him the goal though, not the vocation.
If you focus on Jesus and keep him in the center of your life, You will know your vocation.
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If you focus on Jesus and keep him in the center of your life, You will know your vocation.
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So true, so true. Even though you may not be Catholic yet, you should go to the nearest Catholic church and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is there for all whether you're Catholic or not. Spending time with Him and getting to know Him through prayer will certainly lead you to your vocation whether it be marriage or the priesthood.
QUOTE(Nathan @ Sep 18 2005, 08:00 PM)
For the past year or so, ever since I first started on my path toward becoming Catholic, I've had thoughts about the priesthood. It is something that I've more or less been feeling drawn toward -- the idea of being a priest, anyway -- and I would certainly be thankful to God if He were to choose me for the priesthood. I really don't know if this is the case or not yet, but it's something that I've almost been planning on in the back of my mind.
I went on a little date with a girl yesterday, and it brought up some feelings that, I guess, have been lying dormant within me for a long time -- and no, not those feelings. What I mean is, feelings of longing for a deep, serious, meaningful relationship with a woman. A girlfriend. Someone to love. I want that. It is something that I have not experienced in over two years.
Suddenly the idea of the priesthood seems so lonely to me. I don't know if I could do it; I don't know if I am cut out for it. I understand that when God calls a man to be a priest (and a woman to be a nun), He -- for lack of a better term -- "hooks them up" in such a way spiritually that they don't feel that chilling loneliness; they will feel perfectly happy and content without a partner and without children because their partner is God, and their children are the people they minister to.
I guess what I'm getting at in my round-about way is, could this feeling of longing within me be a sign that God wants me to forget about my ideas of the priesthood? Does He want me to go forth and be in a relationship? I don't know.
Thanks for listening. I'm open to any advice, comments, etc.
[right][snapback]729110[/snapback][/right]
I went on a little date with a girl yesterday, and it brought up some feelings that, I guess, have been lying dormant within me for a long time -- and no, not those feelings. What I mean is, feelings of longing for a deep, serious, meaningful relationship with a woman. A girlfriend. Someone to love. I want that. It is something that I have not experienced in over two years.
Suddenly the idea of the priesthood seems so lonely to me. I don't know if I could do it; I don't know if I am cut out for it. I understand that when God calls a man to be a priest (and a woman to be a nun), He -- for lack of a better term -- "hooks them up" in such a way spiritually that they don't feel that chilling loneliness; they will feel perfectly happy and content without a partner and without children because their partner is God, and their children are the people they minister to.
I guess what I'm getting at in my round-about way is, could this feeling of longing within me be a sign that God wants me to forget about my ideas of the priesthood? Does He want me to go forth and be in a relationship? I don't know.
Thanks for listening. I'm open to any advice, comments, etc.
[right][snapback]729110[/snapback][/right]
I can completely sympathize with you and where you're coming from. I used to think that my loneliness must mean that I couldn't handle the Relgious Life, but something that helped me was hearing: "Loneliness is being alone with God". I mulled it over, and it's so true.
I think loneliness is one of the Crosses to which Jesus has called those with a religious or priestly vocation . But it's really a loneliness that leads you closer to Him... I don't know, but I'll surely pray for you. God bless
Lauren
QUOTE(Totus Tuus @ Sep 19 2005, 06:56 AM)
I think loneliness is one of the Crosses to which Jesus has called those with a religious or priestly vocation . But it's really a loneliness that leads you closer to Him... I don't know, but I'll surely pray for you. God bless
Lauren
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I understand what you are trying to say but "lonely" is a part of the human condition. It is a cross that everyone at one time or another carries.
I don't believe it is a sign or it isn't a sign of a religious vocation.
I like when you say "But it's really a loneliness that leads you closer to Him." Loneliness can be used as a "tool" it can makes us reach out to others or we can become bitter because of it.
QUOTE
"Loneliness is being alone with God"
I don't think that is the best way to word things.
We should feel alone as we are with God. There are times when our bodies try to tell us we are lonely, but our soul rests in Christ. I think this is more along the lines of what you meant.
It wasn't what I meant, it was what Mother Angelica meant 
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