When the Habit Shines Through

Even those devoted to serving God sometimes need a change of pace, a chance to step away and recharge their spirits. But no matter how far we go or how much we try to blend in, there’s a truth we can’t escape: when your life is rooted in God’s purpose, it leaves a mark that no disguise can hide.

Two priests decided they needed a break from the cold back home, so they booked a tropical escape to sunny Costa Rica.

Before boarding their flight, they made a pact:
“No collars, no black clothes, we’re going full-on tourists this week!”

As soon as they arrived, they headed straight to a souvenir shop and stocked up on colourful shirts, floral shorts, flip-flops, oversized sunglasses, and straw hats that screamed “gringos on vacation.” They looked less like priests and more like contestants on Costa Rica’s Got Tourists.

The next morning, they wandered along a beach near Tamarindo, sipping fresh coconut water and soaking up the sun, feeling completely relaxed and confident that nobody would recognize them.

Then, out of nowhere, a gorgeous blonde in a skimpy bikini leaving little to the imagination, strolled past, gave them a dazzling smile, and said:
“Good morning, Father. Good morning, Father.”

They nearly choked on their coconut water.
“How on earth did she know?!” one whispered.

Determined not to be caught again, they went back into town that afternoon and dialed up their disguises: neon tank tops, seashell necklaces, knee-high socks with sandals, and bucket hats that said Pura Vida, Bro. If they were trying to look inconspicuous, they had failed spectacularly.

The next day, they strutted down the beach like undercover agents on vacation, certain their disguises were foolproof.

But sure enough, the same blonde, wearing what seemed more like dental floss than a bikini, trotted by, waved, and said with a grin,
“Good morning again, Fathers.”

One priest dropped his sunhat and exclaimed,
“Alright, we give up. Let’s cut to the chase. How did you know we’re priests?!”

She pulled off her sunglasses, laughed, and replied,
“It’s me, Sister María from the convent. Honestly, you two are about as undercover as a howler monkey at a yoga retreat.”

Moral of the story:
You can try to cover your calling, but a soul aligned with God’s work is always visible. God calls us to shine, not to hide, even in a sea of strangers, our light is meant to be seen.