Fine Diamonds

Appreciating our blessings

Matthew: 16: 29-31

           He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

            Do you know what is the greatest pitfall of the priesthood?  It is not sexual scandals, or money laundering, or a lust for power.  These things are bad, of course, but there’s something even worse, namely, boredom.  We get to a point as priests where we just don’t care anymore; it simply becomes a job, a routine, and we put the priesthood on “autopilot.”  Have you ever attended a Mass where the priest was just going through the motions, more worried about saving his tee-time than about saving souls?  A priest in the seminary was telling us about this “spiritual ennui” when he said, “The day may come as a priest when you get to the end of the Mass and you ask yourself, ‘Did I actually consecrate the wine?’”  In other words, we’re so distracted at Mass, we don’t even recall the most sacred words we utter.  By the way, that’s why I always say those words of consecration slowly…and…deliberately.  Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “A jeweler gets used to seeing fine diamonds.”  A priest gets used to the “fine diamonds” of grace and glory he handles every day.

            This ennui explains the perplexing parable in the gospel today.  A rich man dies and lands in a place of torment – most likely hell – and he begs father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers so they will shape up and not also end up in hell.  Abraham says, “let them listen to Moses and the other prophets.”  But the rich man insists that his brothers need something spectacular to make them change, like someone rising from the dead.  And Abraham says what Fulton Sheen said, “Jewelers get used to fine diamonds,” and so will your brothers.  In other words, they’ll get used to someone rising from the dead, and take that for granted, too.  And Abraham was right: how many Christians know Jesus has risen from the dead, but that doesn’t make them change their lives?   A Christian gets used to the “fine diamond” of the resurrection of Jesus.

            Today, ask yourself, “What are the fine diamonds in my life that I’m too used to seeing and no longer appreciate?”  Just like some priests, so some Catholics take the Mass for granted and just go through the motions of the Mass on autopilot.  Another fine diamond in your life is your spouse.  Remember how wildly you were in love while you were dating and newly married?  You couldn't stop talking or keep your hands off each other!  But slowly we get used to our spouse and take them for granted.  Some couples have trouble remembering the last time they said, “I love you,” like some priests have trouble remembering if they said the words of consecration over the wine.

            Instead, we should feel like Brad Paisley in his song, “The Mona Lisa.”  He sang, “Now there are men who make history, There are men who change the world, And there are men like me who simply find the right girl.  And in that very moment, it all becomes clear, What I’m meant to do, the reason I’m here.  Now, every night I thank the Lord I found you, And every time I put my arms around you…I feel like the frame that gets to hold the Mona Lisa, And I don’t care if that’s all I ever do.”  That's how every spouse should feel.

            Today, wrap your arms around the Mona Lisas and fine diamonds in your life.  Tell them how much you love them, and hug them tightly.  And may we never get to the end of Mass and wonder, “Did the priest actually consecrate the wine??”

            Praised be Jesus Christ!