Where the Spirit Leads by Jim Tabor

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.

–Mark 5:18-20

Where the Holy Spirit Leads

For the past 14 years, I have done my best to discern how God wanted me to serve his Church. The Holy Spirit has repeatedly directed me to the right situation that has enabled me to grow in my faith and meet the needs of the people of God. My brief time at Mount Angel seminary was amazing. It renewed me spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically. After a challenging decade marked by tragedy in my family life, I felt completely transformed and ready to proclaim the Gospel in any way that I was called. While I had hoped that Christ wanted me to be a priest, it became clear to me that God desired I attend the seminary for a year to prepare me to more effectively evangelize the young men and women at Regis St. Mary Catholic School. Having spent 18 months completing the application process for the Archdiocese of Portland, I was surprised by how hard it was to detach from my family and the local community. I was so excited about getting to Mount Angel seminary; I assumed that moving on from my past life would be a breeze. When I talked with my spiritual director and human formator, they explained these feelings were pretty typical. As the first semester progressed, I found myself less and less concerned about my family being able to proceed in their lives without my regular physical presence. I also had specific moments where I truly wanted to become a priest in order to remember my wife and daughter on the altar. However, during this discernment, I was struck by how often my mind continually drifted back to my time teaching at Regis. In class and prayer, I frequently found myself thinking how much better I could have shared the faith with the students if I had taught the material differently or in the manner that I was learning at the seminary. Instead of being completely focused on pursuing the priesthood, I wondered if my true calling was teaching high school. Over Christmas break, I had an opportunity to briefly visit with the students and staff back at the school. My heart overflowed with joy at being with them all again, even if only for a very brief moment. I returned to the seminary and took these thoughts and feelings to prayer. When the opportunity to return and teach at Regis was presented to me, I admit I felt very conflicted. On the one hand, I knew that the Church has a desperate need for priests, and on the other hand, I knew that what would bring me the greatest joy was teaching theology. One of the great things about being at the seminary was the availability of people to assist me in my discernment. As I shared with them my hopes, dreams, talents and abilities, it became clear that the most effective way I could serve the Lord would be to return to teaching high school theology at Regis. While deciding whether or not to return to the school, I was struck by the words of Jesus to the demonic in Gennesaret (Mark 5:18-20). After being cured, the man asked to go with Christ and be one of his disciples. Jesus refused his request and instead told him to go home and proclaim the mercy he has been shown to his family and friends. So like the man in the gospel, I am delighted to return to my alma mater and use my talents to plant the seeds of faith in the next generation of Rams. I am excited to take what I learned during my year at Mount Angel Seminary and build a Eucharistic-centered theology program focused on liturgy, prayer, scripture, service and holiness. I look forward to again working with the entire community in our mission to develop disciples of Christ who love, learn, lead and serve. Christ our King, thy kingdom come! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! St. Joseph, pray for us! – Jim Tabor, Theology Teacher