Christ In The Marketplace

My grand-nephew Matt (3rd from the right), like me, is an avid golfer. For 7 years, he and his high school friends have traveled the country in an annual golf outing. This year, they found their “Acres of Diamonds” here in Chicago at Harborside International Golf Center.
He shot an 83 at this world renown golf course!am

Around the year 1900, a lecturer, Russell Conwell, made a fortune by touring the country with a speech entitled, “Acres of Diamonds”.  The talk, a true story, went like this.  A farmer in Africa heard of the fabulous diamonds being discovered in his native country.  Quickly selling his farm, the hapless man spent all his energies in searching far-off places for the elusive diamonds, eventually dying penniless and heartbroken.

Meanwhile, back at the farm, the new owner came across strange black “pebbles” in the little stream that meandered through the property.  To his delight the “pebbles” turned out to be the largest diamonds yet discovered in Africa.  The lecturer told his audiences the lesson to be learned, first look in your own backyard, in your own vicinity, for what you are hoping for:  riches, success, or happiness.

Over the years, this true story has influenced my thinking as regards to my work in the Priesthood.  In my frequent walks around Midway Airport, my prayer had always been, “Lord, show me ways to make good use of my Priesthood before my time is up.”  My path always brought me through the busy concourse of the Airport, a place on cold days to warm up for the last part of my journey home.

The sights of the crowds of people in the place began to make me think.  I was rubbing shoulders with people from all over the country, many of whom were Catholic.

I thought to myself, wouldn’t this Midway Airport be an ideal place for an Inter-faith Chapel where a Priest could offer daily Mass for employees and travelers?  All would have an opportunity to receive the Eucharistic Christ.  This Inter-faith Chapel would mean a place of peace and solitude where weary people could spend time in the Presence of the Lord, since the Holy Eucharist would be reserved in the Tabernacle.

Spiritual guidance, counselling, the Sacrament of Reconciliation were all possibilities for the people of Midway Airport.  As the saying goes, “the rest is history”.  Our “Acre of Diamonds” was here in our own back yard, and the Chapel has proven to be an ideal place to bring Christ to the marketplace!

Fr. George Mc Kenna