Be a Living Monstrance

While sitting at the Life Teen booth at our parish ministry fair today, our talk turned to Inspiration. A core member revealed that when the priest came around the corner bearing the monstrance, she felt her eyes well up with tears and she dropped to the floor. It’s a testament to how living a life for Christ can change a person; nobody asked what she meant, rolled their eyes, cracked a joke, or had any other reaction but nodding their head in understanding. We’ve all been there: in total awe of the majesty and beauty of our Lord come to dwell among us. This core member went on to say that as the monstrance was carried closer to her, it made her think of a bridegroom approaching his bride, consumed with a passionate desire to love and serve and mesmerized by her beauty. This core member felt likewise, except, as she put it, “I’m not a man.” Lol. Our confirmation coordinator interjected with a thought she remembered hearing (from somewhere I can’t recall) that the monstrance is an object of such gorgeous beauty, but it would be nothing if it weren’t carrying Jesus. It’s interesting how the Holy Spirit chooses such random times to smack you upside the head, but a thought immediately popped into my mind as quickly and loudly as if someone had yelled it in my ear. “That’s exactly as we should be!” I blurted. “We’re like a monstrance!” I wish I could say everyone nodded understandingly to me just as they had to the other core member at the beginning of the conversation, but that wasn’t the case. Mostly I just got confused stares. So here I am, prepared to redeem myself. What I meant to say, much more eloquently than my first attempt, was that we humans can be viewed in the same way. So often we see someone, whether a friend or stranger, and remark to ourselves how attractive that person is. They know exactly how to dress, their hair is amazing, their smile knocks you off your feet. They could be the most captivating human being on the planet, but what happens when that person opens their mouth and rude, demeaning, or negative comments come out? Boom. Instant unattractiveness. What I’m trying to say is this: we can be the next Heidi Klum, but the second we fail to bear the light and love of Christ, our appearance becomes irrelevant. What is the purpose of a monstrance? It bears Christ to the world. What should our purpose be? To bear Christ to the world. The second you remove Christ from that monstrance, it is nothing. It doesn’t matter how beautiful, how ornate, how unique, how expensive it might be; people do not gaze in awe at an empty monstrance because Christ is not present. Physical beauty and surface goodness only go so far. We were created to bear Christ to the world; without Him living in us we are nothing. We are beautiful, yes, but our beauty does not lie in our own making; it is because of Him. Each of us has Christ living inside of us, and it is our duty to reveal Him to the world. Next time you go to adoration and find yourself dropping to your knees, reflect on this idea: however beautiful you find that monstrance, know that with Jesus come to dwell in you, your worth and beauty are priceless. We are living monstrances, formed most intricately and chosen specifically to bring the light of Christ to those in need. Go.