“God or the Girl”

What do you do when someone exercises undue influence over you that has caused spiritual damage? What do you do when we suspect we have caused such damage to another? The answer is simple: tend to your boundaries. The word of God shows us how.

Part 1

“God or the Girl”

Recently a “Catholic Reality TV” series called “God or the Girl” aired on the A&E Channel. It showed the process of four young men who were discerning the call to the priesthood. As it turned out, one out of the four decided to enter the seminary. What was disturbing to me was that in two of the cases, I sensed a violation of spiritual boundaries on the part of two imprudent priests; the third by a domineering mother.

In one case, the priest “spiritual director” told the young impressionable man that in order to discern, he would have to literally carry a heavy cross many miles to another town. He suffered miserably, but it didn't bring him any closer to a decision. The other priest invited the second young man to stay in the rectory with him and serve in the parish. His aim was to get the upper hand over influences of the man’s girl friend. When the young man finally told the priest he sensed the call of God to the married life, the priest reacted by saying that it “was a dagger in his heart!” The third could scarcely talk with his mother without her bringing up the topic of the priesthood. The forth man, upon hearing the gentle yet voice of God through a challenging invitation, journeyed in faith to Guatemala where he experienced the love of God through a holy missionary priest in the most beautiful and deep way. This empowered him to freely give himself to the calling.

After reflecting, I see that the spiritual boundaries of the first three young men were being violated by the priests and the mother. They overstepped healthy boundaries by manipulating these men with their agendas and desires. Thank God they didn't enter the seminary! And thank God for the fourth who freely and joyfully gave himself to God's service in the ordained ministry.

Healthy spiritual boundaries are a means of communion and grace read more...