I have to admit, until last weekend, I have never really met a priest "in person". Pretty much everything I knew about them I saw in movies like"The Exorcist" or "Boy's Town" or more recently "Crossroads" or "The Mermaid Chair". And not being Catholic, I assumed throughout my life, my interaction with a priest would remain in the category of my interaction with Presidents, movie stars, famous authors, Nobel Peace Prize winners and others in that elevated category that normally does not intermingle with average people like me.
But then, as my life unfolded, it came to be that I do know an ex-President, have met a movie star or two, have visited with a few well known writers, and by chance in a hotel in Paris last December, had a very enlightening conversation with a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
So, will it surprise you that this past weekend on my trip to Santa Fe, I had the opportunity through my artist friend to meet and actually befriend two men, who just happen to be involved with the priesthood? And had I not known prior to the introductions, I would have never made the assumption!
One was a delightful metal sculpture artist who also participated in the same show on Saturday as my friend. On Friday, my friend and I were fortunate enough to go to his home and get a personal tour of his work, along with instructional commentary. His personal message is "Peace to the Whole Place" and he donates the proceeds of his work to charity. As I was walking through his home and gardens, admiring his work, I couldn't help but think "This guy is a PRIEST!!! How cool is this?". We talked politics and life and I found a great comfort in his warm smile and knowing eyes. The following day at the art show, his exhibit was adjacent to ours. I watched throughout the day as people flocked to Father Earl, not just to view and purchase his art, but to get his hug or just be in his presence for a little while. As I watched him bid farewell to his visitors, many with some form of a "peace" wish, it occurred to me that this man probably accomplishes more goodwill outside the chapel walls than within. And that is very cool indeed!
The second "man of God" I met was an extreme enigma to me. On the surface, this was a handsome, well-traveled, extremely educated, 39-year-old successful prosecuting attorney, who appeared to be living the "American Dream". In a month, he was putting all of that behind him to enter the seminary. In our first conversation, I asked him why he had decided to do this. He smiled and answered it wasn't a "decision", but a "calling".
I had a million questions, all of which I am sure he had heard before. He patiently answered each of them and was such a master of logic, by the end of the conversation, as surprised as I was, I "got it".
Because he was a very knowledgable patron of the arts and a close confidant of my girlfriend, he was invited to join us for dinner Saturday evening. We had booked a corner table by a fireplace in an elegant downtown restaurant, for what turned out to be one of the most engaging, provacative and sometimes comical dinner conversations I have ever had. We stayed, long after the last customers had left the room. I think each of us knew this was a special evening and no one wanted it to end.
As we walked along the quiet city street back to our car after dinner, our steps light, our stomachs full, giggling like children and our heads buzzing from the unique connection of an unlikely friendship (and perhaps the fine bottle of champagne we shared), I had two revelations. First, it occurred to me that the prosecutor's office and single women everywhere were losing a wonderful prospect. But then I also realized that the Catholic Church was gaining a very valuable asset.
Somehow, it all evened out.
