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January 19, 2024Running from the Call of GodSad to say, but I consider myself somewhat of an expert in running from the call of God.
Jonah was called by God to go preach in Ninevah, a huge city and filled with every evil. The message was: “Repent of your sins quickly, or the city will be destroyed.” God commanded Jonah to go east by land, as Bp. Barron jokes, but Jonah went west by sea! He went in the opposite direction because of fear; running from the call of God. He was afraid that he would not be “received” well, and that he would likely be beaten up or even killed. People don’t usually like to be told when they are sinning seriously and in danger of death.
Working with young men who are discerning priesthood, I have seen this many times. But the first place I saw it was in myself. I felt called to become a priest from the age of 12, but I kept pushing that invitation out of my head because I had other ideas of things I wanted to do. I very foolishly thought that my plan would actually work and bring me more happiness than God’s plan. There was also fear. I felt fear that I might not be happy and fulfilled as a priest.
I wrestled with this call all through middle school, high school and even into college. I dated, discerned studying medicine and tried many different things. But the idea that God was calling me to be a priest would just not go away. God had a mission for me. This word mission is from the latin missio, which means to send. It took me a long time to say yes. God was very patient with me. But I finally did.
I have been a priest now for 32 years and I have absolutely loved it! There is nothing else I could do which would bring me the joy which priesthood has given to me. And now, my missio includes being the pastor of St. Michael’s. I was thinking that God might have had me thrown off of a ship, swallowed by a whale and then deposited on the Tybee Beach to get me here, as happened to Jonah!
I am sad that I somewhat of an expert in running from the call of God, but I sure am happy that I am a priest.
Fr. Brett Brannen
Pastor