I recently listened to a homily by Bishop Barron entitled, “Go on a Hero’s Journey.” It really clarified some of the choices I had made throughout my life. His message is that the Bible and good literature are filled with examples of the lead character being invited out of his comfortable life into the unknown. The important point is that they set off unsure of where they will end up, but in making that journey they make possible something that would never happen otherwise.

This speaks to me because I come from a comfortable life in a very small town in Western New York, but from early childhood I felt called to leave and move to New York City. No one I knew had ever moved there. No one understood why I would want to live there; I just knew it was where I was supposed to be. By the time I married, I knew the urban lifestyle wasn’t what I wanted with a family, and we felt called to Brewster. No neighboring community felt right. Fr. Doughty once told the congregation that we should pray to St. Lawrence, that he had led us here. That felt true to me. I have lived in Brewster for 30 years now and it feels like I am where I am supposed to be.

Bishop Barron explains that God is the one that invites us to take the risks, to step out of our comfortable existence into the unknown with trust and confidence in Him. You may not feel like the adventurous sort, but even sedentary Bilbo Baggins, in The Hobbit, was energized once he got out of his comfortable shire. That was when his life really began. Lived properly, Christianity is an adventure. Saying yes to God’s invitations reveals a fulfilling life that benefits us and all who know us.

My story may seem rather ordinary to be a “hero’s journey;” yours may too, but thanks to God’s invitations, our stories have converged. It is no accident or coincidence that we are living life together in this place and time. Our journey continues. As disciples, let’s listen for Jesus’s invitations and choose adventure over comfort!

Scripture: Read Genesis 12:1-4. What stands out?

Call to Action: Listen to Bishop Barron’s homily at https://youtu.be/V5II3xYWE1w. Reflect on where God has led you already and what He may be inviting to do now.