When people hear that I am a seminarian, I often get the same response from them: why? Why would I throw my life away by forcing myself into unnatural celibacy? Why would I give up a life with a good career and give myself to the Church, all while living a life of poverty? I have such good potential. What could possibly possess me to do such a thing?
It seems that many people associate worldly success with personal success. Happiness for many seems to be associated with being able to support oneself comfortably all while winning the accolades of one’s neighbors. However, this happiness that many people seem to think they know how to find is always just beyond the horizon, found in a few dollars more, or a few possessions more. They think, “If only I can get to retirement, I will be happy.” Yet, sadly, happiness never comes, or if it does, it is fleeting and hard to capture long term. So where is it? Let me tell you a story.