Jonah 1:3
But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD
Ever since I first entered the seminary, I couldn't wait to wear the black "uniform" shirt that priests wear. I was so excited to one day don these "clerics" as a symbol of contradiction and a sign of a life dedicated to God. When I was ordained a transitional deacon just a few months ago, however, I began to first wear this uniform in public—and I quickly learned just how afraid I am of doing so. What would people think of me? Would they have something mean to say? Would people reject me because of who I represented?
Jonah is asking himself similar questions when the Lord calls him to go preach to the city of Nineveh. He, too, allows fear to hinder him from living as a witness to God. This fear deters him so much that he starts going in the complete opposite direction of Nineveh! So many times in my daily life I too am like Jonah: I am afraid to live out my faith because of what people will think of me. Today, God wants to dissipate all that fear; He says to us once again: be not afraid.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Deacon Connor Penn
Home parish: Corpus Christi
Did you know...
I was born and raised in Temple Terrace and attended Corpus Christi Catholic School for 10 years before later attending Jesuit High School.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
