Gospel Reflections for August 14 2016
Step up to the plate!
You might recall this famous baseball phrase that umpires yell to batters to take their place behind home plate and be ready for the incoming pitch. This is the batter’s moment before the crowd …and the chance to either hit well or not. The batter is there all alone with only desire, energy, and personal commitment to help.
This solitary moment will happen a thousand times this week and next at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. You can will see it in Track and Field, Swimming, Diving, Gymnastics, and in every event. Each athlete will have a golden moment to shine …or not. But whether an athlete wins or loses there is always universal admiration for everyone who dares to “step up to the plate” in their sport.
How does an athlete get to this place? Probably tens of thousands of times in the past a young athlete would face this solitary decision, “Do I stay in bed or get up early and train?” “Do I stop training now or keep on going for the extra effort?” “Do I listen to my coach or try to make it on my own?”
Every answer separates a winning athlete from one who does not achieve victory. Every decision we make has that “separating” factor. Every decision divides people into the group that follows one way from those who do not.
The very word “decision” actually has the same root word from which our word “scissor” also derives. Every decision “cuts” and “divides” and “separates” any group.
This is the message of today’s Gospel. A decision to follow Christ can sometimes divide a family or friends from each other.
When I was in High School, it was the beginning of the 1960’s drug craze. Our Principal was concerned about the upcoming summer break and the chance that his students might become involved in drugs. He offered a simple and compelling decision we should make. When offered drugs, we should reply firmly and strongly, “No Thanks! …You go your way …but I will go God’s way.” That clear decision would ensure our path was with Our Lord.
All Olympic athletes have recently come under intense scrutiny over alleged drug use. The entire Russian delegation is under a major ban. If only they had listened to our seminary professor. If only they had listened to this Gospel!
Their lapse of judgement will not prevent us from rejoicing in the good decisions of the rest, and the victories they will achieve, and ourselves also, from choosing well!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave, Always love your commentaries!!! It is such a joy to see the excitement in the beautiful athletes faces who have achieved medals in their sports through immense hard work!! Their accomplishments and happiness touches all of us!!! It is the same pure joy when we live our precious faith of love!! Jesus says “Come follow me”” and if we follow Him ,love is radiated to others and eternal life is a precious gift given to us!!!The secret is we must work hard as the athletes do in loving, caring, sharing ourselves with others, and making the world a beautiful place, where life, freedoms,morals,,Faith are protected!!!We must never stop loving in the way our Jesus did!!!! Love our precious faith and Dick and I love you Father Dave for bringing us our Jesus!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
“Step up to the plate and go for the gold!” The Olympians are very special people in their training and dedication. Most of us live our lives with much less discipline. Most of us are less disciplined spiritually as well as physically. Maybe there should be a “Special Olympics of Spirituality” in which those of us who have spiritual disabilities can compete. I would enter that.
I would place in the Gold Medal team for sure!
I like it!
Thank you
You are welcome!
Victory is achievable for all, given our Great and perfect Coach. We have His words and teachings. .
The field is fair for all in spite of any and all handicaps, We have only to listen, to “finish the race”, and achieve our reward!
Bob and Rose Mary
Well said!
Step up to the plate….all these athletes are winners just for qualifying to be there. I heard some of the winners are practicing Catholics too. They have said no to drugs/outside influences and YES to God.
Yes, the visible signs of faith are more evident this Olympics than ever before.
WOW,, I struggled with his statement in light of the commandments and the one to honor your father and mother and to the husband or wife that says that it is either Jesus or me. Tnis is a reminder to me that it is only one way and number one has to be Jesus.
The difficult Gospels are often have the best insights.
Your homily was to the point as always! I love how simple your message is and yet so proufound! Thank you for your service to our church!
Thank you! I am glad you find my reflections helpful.