Gospel Reflections for August 21 2016
A Gold Medal for everyone?
When American Olympic athletes win Gold Medals we are justifiably proud and happy for their amazing accomplishments. If you actually watch their events, you know just how amazing they are. They certainly deserve their medals and the applause of the crowd.
Can you imagine their shock if suddenly Gold Medals were handed out to everyone, no matter what their score?
Our school year will begin soon. You might know that we present awards for excellence to our outstanding students. Can you imagine how a student might feel after studying hard for months and achieving well-earned excellence, only to find out that awards were given to everyone in the class, no matter what their grades? Fortunately, that does not happen here!
We value every student and try to help all achieve excellence, but students also know who actually deserves awards and those who do not, and they never feel honored by undeserved “stars.” In fact, they can even feel insulted and condescended to when given undeserved recognition.
Eternal life is the ultimate “Gold Medal” and in today’s Gospel a crowd forms around Jesus to ask about it. Jesus knows that some believe everyone will make it into heaven, while others think very few will. He answers neither group, but changes their focus. Instead of wondering about the fate of others, He asks us to focus on what we are doing with our own life. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” He reveals that rewards only come to those who, like Olympic athletes, use their talents and abilities well.
God loves all of us but knows there is a role for His grace and our talents working together. God’s love and grace for us is freely given, underserved, and unearned, but our part is to accept it and use the power of His love to achieve something worthwhile. God will do His part but we must also do ours!
Who knows what great projects still lay within each of us? I will bet there is still much excellence that lies untapped within us but just needs a little encouragement to activate. Jesus provides that today. It will not happen by accident, by chance, or by luck, but by effort, planning, design, and leadership on our part, along with the grace of God.
God’s grace is available for the asking. Let us begin the next part of our life right here and now and ask for that grace to “enter the narrow gate” and go for the Gold!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
i can use your reflection for my sunday assignment as layman in our parish…siquijor,siquijor,phillipines…
thank you so much….
I am honored that you can use these reflections in your ministry!
Father Dave, I have been concerned a lot lately with exercise. As one gets older, the muscles and joints become less strong and flexible. Planned exercise, difficult and distasteful as it is, makes the lifestyle more pleasant.
Going through the narrow gate requires flexibility, bending down and contorting to make it through. Hard as it is, spiritual exercise can make it more pleasant. Lord help us to have the discipline to exercise.
Spiritual exercises strengthen our soul, our most important “muscle.”
Beautifully said Father Dave!!! Be a precious difference for good in the world with God’s grace!!!Today is a new day to influence others in Faith, prayer, love and joy! with God’s beautiful gift of grace working within us!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeee it!!! Go for the gold!!! Go for Heaven!!! Live in love and peace!!!! Touch the world with God, Jesus’ and our Blessed Mother’s LOVE!!! Love our precious faith!!! Have a beautiful day in God, Jesus ‘and Mary’s LOVE!!!Love your precious insights to living a faith filled, loving life!!
With Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,, Franca and Dick
Thanks!
Very beautiful reflection Fr Dave, just right for the situations of all who have decided to follow Jesus and also those seeking the path to follow – seek the ultimate GOLD MEDAL : Eternal Life! . . . . but in truth it is the CALL TO HOLINESS that everyone should respond to as they journey in life through the narrow gate.
God bless you, your Family, Ministry and everyone in your new parish!
Roy and Adele Vargas
Yes, I agree, the Call to Holiness leads us forth!
I loved your Reflections, Fr. Dave, especially the line___
“God will do His part, but we must also do ours”
With whatever challenges and hardships we face in life Jesus asks us to take up our cross
and follow Him, knowing that He is with us through it all.
I’m reminded of the song, “One day at a time sweet Jesus”
Lord help today
show me the way
one day at a time…….
I like that song. I thin it expresses everything well.
Fr. Dave, this was a very beautiful reflection of seeking the Gold Medal, which is Eternal life !
We are all getting older and I am having more health problems, but I am blessed with my husband who is my main caretaker and we are also blessed with all our family who wants to help as much as they are able..
Take care and stay healthy,
God bless you,
Henry and Marie Ceci
.
YEs, you are surrounded by a loving husband (and great guy!) and great friends.
That was, again a great reflection. It also reminded be of why we serve Him and am I doing His will not mine. I also remembered your handout on Dead works. (Hope you are still making them available). It reminds me to constantly seek the Lord before doing anything. We can get caught up and I have in the past and only to no avail. It takes a lot of prayer and reflection to be in His will.
We always need His grace to move forward.
Today at mass at St. Rose the priest gave an interesting homily on this gospel, explaining that most people measure success by their career or degree. It really made me think about the time I identified so much with my career that it seemed I became my job. It had utterly consumed me to the point that my thoughts and conversations always centered around aspects of my career and I didn’t realize my inability to separate from it. When I was laid off from my job, it was ultimately devastating and disturbingly disorienting at the time as it felt like a loss of identity. However, I quickly realized the blessing after many months had lapsed and my spiritual values became centered, I realized that I had invested too much both physically and personally into a superficial job. I resolved to always hold my family values dear to my heart and never let a job or any other mundane thing be the measure of my pride, worth and success.
Hi Eliza,
Your message resonates in discernment. How incredible if everyone could reach that level. Thanks so much for sharing.
God bless.
Thank you, Kathleen. God bless.
You are welcome!
You are welcome!
You have considered all of this very wisely! Putting things in the perspective of our ultimate destiny is very wise.
Hi Father Dave,
Thank you for your clear and thoughtful analogy. I’d like to add a little something based on the trouble our Gold Medalists found themselves in recently. No matter how hard we try and regardless of how much we achieve, we are still vulnerable to the often abysmal tumble of mistake, serving as a great indefatigable teacher of life. Today’s Gospel’s powerful message touched me, but the second reading from Hebrews hit a homerun.
Well said!