Imperfect Glory...but Wonderful all the same.

Greetings to all on the Feast of the Institution of the Eucharist!

This morning I was priveledged to attend the Mass of Holy Chrism at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Lansing with Fr. Ed. I have never been to a Chrism Mass before and the expierence was awesome! It was such a wonderfull feeling seeing all the Priests, Seminarians (almost...JOE!!!...yea you know who you are!) and Deacons of the Diocese all gathered under one roof celebrating Mass with representatives of every parish in the Diocese and the Bishop shepherding his flock towards Christ. The feeling of the universality of the Church, as well as the particular nature of the Church overwhelmed me, and I was quite touched with a little inspiration...which oddly enough has endured the rest of the day so that I can relate it to you (whether that is a good thing or no...you be the judge!), rather than forgetting my inspiration as soon as something else, often trivial, blanks it out of my A.D.D. head!

We have often heard the phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Commen phrase, but filled with the wisdom that simple folk sayings have aquired because of the years of wisdom that had gone it to repetedly showing the truth of the statement. This morning, at mass I was compelled to reflect on those very words, which have been important for me in my discernment on many levels.

I have often been plagued by fellow Catholics, on hearing that I wish to be a Diocesan Priest in my home diocese ask "why would you want to stay here?" They often cannot understand why I would willingly choose a diocese that was less than perfect with a less then perfect shepherd. For me it has always been simple, if all the good men (ie those who wish to be priests) leave their home, then who will guide the good people where they were raised in the future? My answer has often been unsatisifying to theses critics, but it nevertheless comes from deep feeling, conviction, calling, sense of duty and most of all love of my people, our history, and traditions.

What these folks seem to not understand...is that if you are constantly looking for the "greener side of the fence" you will be chasing a dream, for the grass will always look greener someplace else, Utopia is just what it is..."noplace." The grass will always be greener, this diocese may look good, but then the bishop leaves and another diocese gets a better bishop and suddenly its less green. But if you stick with the less than perfect plot of Grass that you have been given, water it, till it, fertilize it...it will improve and become greener. It will not be instant results (and don't get me started on the "just add water" culture of our society) but over the long term, you will see the work of your hands, and it will improve, with God's help.

Yes, there are folks who God calls to diferent fields, but the important thing is to stick with it, and have a firm purpose for why, and what you are doing. Another thing, yes this is America, it is not Europe. Our culture is one built on Puritanism, and Catholicism does not pervade society. But if you work on building the Church in your individual society then slowly, the diocese of this Nation will become greener, but it takes time and patience...and it will never be perfect...so get over it!

God Bless you this Triduum