We had a new priest at church today who reminded me so much of another priest that I know who is very close to my heart. There were so many similarities. During his homily, the priest said that after college, he worked out in the secular world for a few years and was very happy doing so. But he felt God’s tug on his heart to become a priest. He tried to ignore it, then decided to talk to another priest about it – hoping he would talk him out of it. After a couple of years, he finally gave in and pursued the vocation that was on his heart. My friend had a very similar story, calling God the “The Hound of Heaven” referring to a poem by Francis Thompson. The new priest said that he was terrified to speak in public, yet he appeared very comfortable and seemed unscripted. The same was true for my friend. During his homily, he asked for the participation of the congregation to reply when he asked a question. My friend did the same thing. It was uncanny the way they resembled one another. The only thing missing was the boisterous Italian mannerisms. It made me happy to see the new priest and remember my friend who made such an impact on my life.

I Found God today in a priest who was so similar to another loving priest I know.