Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 25, 2016 - Thursday in the 21th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 1:1-9 and Matt 24:42-51]"Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." [Matthew]
The Olympic games are over but, if you're like me, the amazement at the achievements of the athletes remains! It mattered not which nation they may have represented, their hard work at preparation and staying in shape provided something that was bigger than them - an inspiration. St. Paul, in his first Letter to the Corinthians, speaks to that image: "Do you not know that the runers in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." [1 Cor. 9:24-25]
The words of today's gospel scripture from Matthew are aimed at "staying in shape." He is referring to the return of Jesus after his death and resurrection, which he and others in the community may have expected sooner than is now known! However, the challenge is relevant to Christian life at all stages. It requires effort to be faithful and disciplined. Every day, especially during the evening news hour, we are given ad after ad about various health care things that are supposed to make us look like the wonderful images in front of us. Of course, a lower voice warns us that our results may vary! If we make that kind of effort for our physical health, it makes sense to take care of our spiritual health as well. The Olympic medal is testimony to an event that occurred in the past. The imperishable "medal" is something that draws us to the future with God. That is well worth the effort to stay in shape.
The resources are many and are not confined to sacramental events. Every human person in need is a challenge to us as Christians to respond, which means we have to stay in shape! God will train alongside us! AMEN
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