World-class athletes – they are amazing with what they can push the human body to do –work to achieve a goal – athletic excellence and victory on the playing field – They can be quite the sight to watch – and there is something to be learned from their striving to achieve. What sacrifices the athlete makes – the amount of time – hours upon hours, year after year training – missing family occasions, the necessity to maintain a very particular diet – the sweat and pain working to improve at all times – dedication with everything in their lives focused on the athletic aim – everything else is set aside - All of this for a medal – the moment of victory – yet does it really last? – The following year – or four years for the Olympics - a new champion is crowned - In time, almost all will forget who that race – few know who won the Olympic Marathon back in 2021 – let alone 1908 or the Greek Olympics over 2000 years ago - We look with respect upon an athlete who has given in pursuit of the goal – that dedication is commendable in many ways - and sports may be good – but they are fleeting - not the goal – they are not the pearl worth giving up everything for.
An investment banker – fresh off finishing his MBA – begins working on Wall Street – seeking to make his name – raise the ranks – to make partner – to achieve his goal, he works hard – sacrifices seemingly everything to achieve his goal – working 100 hour weeks – no vacation – skipping time with friends, family – ignore religious and his health – thinking there will be time for that later.
He has given up everything – made partner at the $1.3 Million salary that comes with it – yet was it worth it? No one on their deathbed says they worked more hours – yet many wish they spent more time with their family, friends, and God. That wealth is fleeting – he can’t take it with him when he dies – no social position, wealth, or business promotion is the pearl worth giving up everything for.
An Athlete – a Banker – so it is with any worldly pursuit – they may be good – it is good to work hard, and things cost money – looking to build a business or provide more for one’s family are not bad things – but they are not the ultimate thing – not what it is worth giving everything for. – Instead, it is something that we can find in the world – but beyond – the kingdom of heaven – worth everything to find and enter – for it is there that we find Christ – the son of God – the second person of the Trinity – saving us by his death and resurrection – and in himself – bring us to the inner life of God – It is as St Paul at one point puts it “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
On the one hand – this is obvious, and we know it – after all, you are here at Mass – but do we always act like it? – are we always – Here at the Mass, we participate in Christ’s offering to the Father – and receive him Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – yet how much of a priority is it? And what about prayer and devotions outside of Mass? Do we ever come to Adoration? Do we set our lives around Christ or ask Christ to fit around our other activities? –
It is easy to complain about closed parishes and fewer Mass times than there used to be – and that is unfortunately true – Here in Vermont, and especially in Brattleboro – we have, by historical standards, a surplice of availability – Mass, Confession, and Adoration– something that is not always true. We are used to having many times available and the ability to be flexible. But what if it is not?
Way back when I first got to Seminary, fresh off my Job as a software engineer, one of the Deacons, now a Priest, gave a homily in the seminary chapel based on his experience as a soldier in the US Army deployed to Afghanistan – He was deployed for 12 months – and in that time he was only able to go to Mass three times – Imagine how critical those Masses where – and when there was a chance – it was worth anything to get to Mass.
And it was not that long ago, in 2020, when we had no public Masses for 10 weeks – an absence that can still be felt – and how to put Christ first – looking to Christ in hard times, that became its own challenge – how much of a priority do we make Christ when it was not easy? How much do we make him when it is? Do we recognize that pearl of great price – and are we willing to give up everything for Christ? – First and foremost, it takes time – and setting it aside first, not what is left - Not time on athletics, business, work, or games – but prayer – the center of which is the Mass – but also beyond just the physical bounds of time in the liturgy – such that everything is for Christ.
Today (Tomorrow), after Mass, we begin our 40 hours devotion. 40 continuous hours of Adoration in the Church. As Pope Benedict put it, “Eucharistic Adoration is simply the natural consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s supreme act of Adoration... The act of Adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself.” – and the 40 hours comes the 40 hours that Christ traditionally was in the tomb before his resurrection.
Throughout the 40 hours, there will be several other devotions. Rosary, Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer – During Evening prayer, both tonight (Sunday) and tomorrow, there will be a spiritual conference about the Eucharist. Whenever you want – whether for one of the devotions or to simply spend some time in silence before Christ - I encourage everyone to at least come by for some significant time to be in prayer before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” – are we willing to give up all we have for Christ?