Ride So As To Win

When I told people that I was going to bike 100 miles for the Ride for Vocations, the common reaction was: “Wow! That sounds so hard! I can’t believe you’re doing that!” I often get a similar response when I tell people I’m in seminary.

There’s a prideful temptation to think it’s my own doing, to congratulate myself for my magnanimity: “ I rode 100 miles,” “ I’m making this heroic sacrifice to follow Christ,” as if either were a gracious gift to Our Lord, and not the other way around.

But I have a small confession to make: It wasn’t all suffering; I had fun. I got to ride my bike through scenic backdrops – along wooded streams, sunny fields, rolling hills, and quiet farms. I spent the day outside, visiting historic churches with Jesus waiting at each stop. I got to do it with inspiring people by my side (or in front, pulling me along) – brothers and sisters excited about living a life in Christ.

This year, I felt underprepared for the ride, much like I felt unfit to enter seminary. I hadn’t trained enough, and for the first 30 miles, I was nervous. “How far will I make it? Can I afford to bear the brunt of the wind for the group here, or do I need to be careful and conserve my energy?” I was worried about self-preservation, hiding in the draft of the rider in front of me.

In the brief moments of Adoration at each stop, however, the Lord reminded me why we were participating – to pray for priests, religious, and new vocations. Offering each leg of the ride for particular intentions, my attention moved away from worrying about myself, to supporting the group I was riding with. Surprisingly, the miles passed by more easily; the burden got lighter. By embracing suffering with Jesus, He gave it a purpose. He turned it into sacrifice, and it was fun.
 
It’s tempting to see the priest’s sacrifice as onerous, dwelling on forgoing a wife and children to serve the flock. Yes, the priesthood requires sacrifice, but so does every vocation. While venerating a relic of St. John Vianney at Mile 89, I thought about the long hours he would spend in the confessional serving his people. But just outside the church, a mom with kids had been standing in the sun for the entire day supporting tired riders with water and snacks while responsibilities at home piled up. Both joyfully denied themselves out of love for others and God. 

Yes, there’s sacrifice. That’s the point. The Ride for Vocations wouldn’t be exciting or fulfilling if it were effortless. For the riders, in the midst of physical exhaustion, it was all smiles. Everyone I encountered was grinning from ear to ear, radiating a clear sense of purpose and joy.

Priesthood is no different. If called, the priesthood is a wonderful way to live out the selfless Christian life we’re all called to. Sacrifice isn’t something you can get away from; it’s what makes the race fun.

Mr. Korzan is a Second Pre-Theology seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington.