First and Goal

Deacon Tom Writes,

“First and Goal”

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

The teachings contained in this passage from Mathew’s Gospel today summarize our call to holiness. Jesus presents his vision of the Kingdom where the poor in spirit are blessed and the meek are comforted; where mercy abounds and righteousness prevails; where there are peacemakers to put an end to conflict, violence, and strife. Do you think that Jesus was telling the crowd to persevere the evil in this present age and await the justice of God in the next life? I don’t think so. Jesus had a plan to help ease the suffering and hopelessness that he saw in the human condition, the one he embraced, willingly, to restore us to God’s good graces, yes, but as Jesus told his disciples, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”. (JN 10:10). Jesus’ plan for us to enjoy life more abundantly is called discipleship.

In making a decision to follow Jesus we take on the responsibility of embracing the mind and heart of God as Jesus did and acting accordingly. This is difficult work, like moving the football in the “Red Zone” when it is  “First, second, third or even forth... and Goal”. There is a lot of resistance to our effort; the other team is trying just as hard to stop us. They try to prevent any “forward progress” and undermine our confidence; they challenge our determination to score. This football analogy suites us well on our spiritual journey as we look to overcome all the challenges and obstacles to our faith that we encounter on a daily basis. We may experience rejection when we reach out to strangers; we may be the target of unkindness and misunderstanding when we try to bring comfort to family, friends, and neighbors. If we try to forgive others for the hurts they have caused us, there are those who may take this as a sign of weakness and attempt to take further advantage of us. We may suffer many setbacks if we try to live and act with the mind and heart of Jesus and that should come as no surprise for Jesus told us as much.

Still, we seek to be kind and gentle people, quick to forgive and slow to anger. We strive to be thoughtful and accepting of everyone. We engage people with the understanding that we are all made in the image of our creator. Most of all, we never lose sight of the goal and the good that can come from a single act of selfless love. Why? Because we take Jesus at his words, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me”.

Today we here Jesus call the poor in spirit “blessed”. If we live our lives as his disciples, the day will come when he will say to us “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”. (MT 25:34)

In the pursuit of eternal life, that’s how you run up the score!!!

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom