Blame Me, Blame His Dad, And Blame God (if you believe in Him)

I was reading about Grant Desme, formerly a player for the Oakland A's . . . he is hanging up his gear to don a Roman collar.  The comments following the announcement really . . . make me angry.

The comments call him a moron, a loser, a douchebag, and they blame the parents, and some even hint that he's leaving baseball (where there aren't enough little boys to prey on).  Give me a break, people!

If you're not Catholic, I can understand misgivings about "giving up" all the worldly things on some levels (really, it's just sex they are worried about - oh, and since Desme was in for some serious money, the money).  Reality is, you want a young man to know what he's giving up (and to still desire being married with kids and doing good for the world in any occupation) . . . I think men who give up their own family have gained so much more.  No, it is not easy!  It is not simple!  Today too many folks have hangups and can't believe a man would give up sex completely . . . to serve God. There is so much more to being a priest than even I can ever know - the ups and downs, the giving and taking.  I don't know that much, but I know enough to appreciate what these men do to serve God and the Church.

Young men raised Catholic should be raised with an openness to the call to the Priesthood or life of a religious.  I say should, because I do not think all of them are!  And, why not?  What are we afraid of?  Honestly:  IF WE PROFESS TO BELIEVE IN GOD, IF WE PROFESS TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, ALL OUR MIND, ALL OUR SOUL . . . THEN WE ARE BIG FAT BLOODY LIARS IF WE DENY OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO BE CALLED BY GOD FOR HIS PURPOSE, ESPECIALLY IF CALLED TO THE LIFE OF A RELIGIOUS OR PRIEST (in the case of our boys).  We do not love God if we deny Him our children. 

It is never ever ever ever ever about us and what we want.  We should always align our wills with that of our Creator.  Otherwise, I think life is empty of all meaning and we do not trust Him at all. 

Just some thoughts from a mother who's youngest feels called to the priesthood (and the other two are open to God's call as well):  JUST BLAME ME.  This blame I can take proudly!