2 Kings

I wonder if any priest began their journey of priesthood without knowing any priest. It is not impossible, but it is very unlikely a boy or a young man has an aspiration to the priesthood without actually seeing and hearing a priest at least. And I also wonder how many priests developed their vocations to the priesthood without any kind of relationship with other priests. It is also not impossible, but it will be a very difficult and lonely journey.

I saw many priests in my parish since I was very young. I did not have much opportunity to know most of them very well, but as an altar server and a lector, I had much time to see and hear them. As a young boy, to serve them at the altar and to see them from a close distance certainly affected me to have a dream of becoming one of them.

Later on, as a young man, I met a few priests who left me with impressions that made me seriously think about the priesthood. They did not suggest the priesthood. But, the relationships with them led me into the decision to enter the seminary.

I don’t exactly know why, but I always enjoyed friendships with priests as a boy and a young man. I welcomed those God’s servants, and I became one of them. I received the greatest gift in my life, the priesthood, just by welcoming priests in my life, not so much by asking for it.

The woman in the first reading of this Sunday who welcomed the prophet Elisha and provided a small house received a gift of a son without asking for a son. And, in the gospel, Jesus tells us we will receive a prophet’s reward if we welcome a prophet. When we welcome Jesus in our lives and our family, we will receive the reward of Jesus – life eternal. All we need is to welcome him and build a relationship with him.