faith fridays: patrick coffin and knowing our price tag

Last night was the night of a lifetime for me.

It was special enough to do something I may have done only one other time in my life. I scheduled an appointment to have my hair styled.

I also bought a new, black dress, and a sparkly hair barrette.

When I was asked several months ago to be the emcee at our Catholic radio station’s annual fundraising banquet, I didn’t know that by saying yes, I would be triply blessed.

I knew it would be an honor. After serving as one of four rotating hosts for Real Presence Live for the past two years, as well as being an everyday listener, I have nothing but gratitude for what Catholic radio has done to increase and enliven my faith. I was happy to speak to this before a room full of hundreds of Catholic radio supporters. Blessing #1.

Blessing #2 came in the choice of keynote speaker. Radio is one of the most intimate forms of media. We feel as if the people talking to us through the airwaves are actually with us; more so even than television.

I’ve been inviting this guy into my home and minivan for the past several years. Patrick Coffin has gotten me through many mundane moments of domesticity as I’ve worked to keep my house in order, dinner on the table, and shuffled my five children from here to there. I’ve been able to do all of this while simultaneously learning more about my faith through his radio program, Catholic Answers Live. To say I admire him is an understatement.

So introducing our bishop, a priest, our station director and Patrick was, for me, nothing short of a wonderful and undeserved gift.

The third blessing was an afterthought. This month marks my last month of hosting Catholic radio. Due to my new job, I will have to leave behind this wonderful gig. I do so reluctantly, but knowing it’s best I focus on family and this new mission for now. I hope to be back someday in some capacity. So, last night was something of a goodbye as well — though unstated. For that reason, it was even more special.

Normally, I would have taken more notes, but because I was in “work mode,” my notes are fairly slight. But I enjoyed hearing someone I admire so much speak to people here in our area. (Tonight, my mom will be hearing him three hours away in Bismarck.)

And I did come away with some nuggets. Here are a few of the quotes, either stated first by others and referenced by Patrick, or his own, that I thought worthy of noting:

On the significance of the Eucharist:  Jesus didn’t leave us orphaned. When lovers part ways, they always leave a memento. Jesus did the same by leaving his Body and Blood.

On Christian persecution: This should come as no surprise to us. We sort of signed up for it at Baptism.

On the first technological revolution: Marconi, inventor of the radio, made place irrelevant for the first time in human history. (We don’t have to be there to be affected and connected.)

On Christian unity in light of today’s moral issues: When a maniac is at the door, feuding brothers reconcile.

And finally, my favorite:

On what young people need to know to combat self-worth issues: They need to know their price tag.

Think about that last one. If you and I knew our worth — the worth that God sees in us — how would that affect the choices we make and the way we live our lives?

In my mind, just as Patrick said, knowing our price tag is everything. It’s the difference between night and day, between rags and riches, between hate and love.

And love, especially self-love, can and will change the world.

Be good to yourself. Know your price tag. Then proceed accordingly.


Q4U: Was there a moment in your life when you became more aware of your price tag in God’s eyes? How did that change things for you?