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lodgings in Fulham to a little church near Putney Bridge in order to attend Evensong; an event that would forever stay in his memory. It had occurred as the service reached the point of the sermon. The priest was in the pulpit, preaching on the ways in which people have found themselves being called to perform God’s work, when a tunnel of bright, swirling, white light had obscured the rest of the church, leaving just the pulpit and the dark outline of the priest visible at one end, or so it had seemed to James at the other end of the tunnel. The light had continued until the end of the sermon and then faded as quickly as it had come. He had experienced nothing like it before or since. But he knew, beyond all doubt, from that moment on he had an extra path to walk in his life; he felt sure that he had received God’s calling and must one day become a priest.
    Back in the present, he watched for a few moments as the other two stood and proceeded to walk to the altar. These moments were always deeply moving to him and on this, the day after his conversation with the Archdeacon, he felt the poignancy of the moment with a greater intensity than he had ever felt before.
    â€˜The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ…’
    He had little doubt that this was the right path for him to tread. He could picture himself now at the altar in the place of the vicar and it felt so right, so natural and comfortable. So much so that it had a feeling of inevitability about it.
    He stood, walked to the altar and knelt again, crossing himself each time as the sacraments were presented to him.

    * * *

    At the end of the service he waited by the font whilst the vicar spoke to the elderly couple. As they left, he turned and smiled.
    â€˜Good morning, James,’ he said, his hand outstretched.
    â€˜Good morning, Michael.’ James smiled back and firmly shook the proffered hand.
    â€˜You had a good conversation with Paul Swinburn yesterday, I hear?’
    â€˜You already know?’ he replied, a little taken aback.
    The vicar chuckled. ‘He rang me last night. He was most impressed. He has already formed the impression that your faith is sincere and firmly founded, and believes you have the potential to be a great asset to the work of the Church.’
    For once in his life, James felt embarrassed and struggled to find the right words in response. ‘I don’t know what to say.’ He gazed at Michael. ‘I am quite humbled. I can only do my best; but I am sure that there are many others out there doing far greater work than my own,’ he heard himself saying.
    â€˜It serves us all well to have a touch of humility within our characters, James. Though meekness, however praiseworthy, should not overpower our confidence to guide others in life. Some of the best priests are those who are able to blend piety with strength of leadership. People often come to the Church because they are looking for someone with authority, someone who will take the initiative on his or her behalf and show them the way forward. You have those qualities, James. You have had the confidence to follow your heart this far. Now you have to harness that credence and let it boldly take you forward in the service of Christ, to the ultimate benefit of your fellow man. All this the Archdeacon saw in you. Whether you like it or not, you are a natural leader. This is part of your destiny, James; you cannot escape what is meant to be. Understand all this and you will be more than adequately empowered to travel your predestined role in life.’ As they talked, they walked towards the back of the church.
    â€˜You have been a good friend to me, Michael, and I thank you for your wise counsel. I will remember your words.’
    â€˜Do not think that it has been a one-way process, James.’ He paused to open the West Door and then stood aside as James walked out into the porch. Michael followed him. ‘We all have the ability to inspire each