St. Matthew tells us that what is important in life is not esoteric; in fact, it is available to all, even the “little ones.”  Jesus reminds us that He knows that life is difficult, demanding, stressed-filled but, if we live His Gospel (the Word of God), our life will be joy-filled.

 

Jesus wants us to embrace our faith in Him, like little children, with openness, trust and hope.  That is the way the Lord wants us to live today.  Don’t worry about tomorrow when it gets here it to will be today.  Live Jesus today!  Maybe we can find ways to help others hit home runs, the story below can help us.

This story about Sara Tucholsky can help illustrate living Jesus, in the spring of 2008, Western Oregon State played Central Washington University in women’s softball for the conference championship and a trip to the NCAA’s.  With 2 on, Western Oregon’s Sara Tucholsky hit a homer (her first ever).  Sara was a senior part-time starter who had three hits in her thirty-four at bats.  As she past first base Sara fell and hurt her knee.

Her coaches or teammates couldn’t help, or she would be out!  The umpires ruled that if she could make it back to first, she would be credited with a single and a pinch runner could be substituted.

As Western Oregon was deciding on what to do, Central Washington’s first-baseman asked the umpire if they could help her?  There was no rule prohibiting that, so two Central Washington players carried Sara around the bases allowing her to touch each one.  Central Washington’s compassion cost them the game 4-2 and the NCAA’s.  Mallory Holtman (Cent. Wash. 1^st baseman) said, “It was about a girl.  She’s a senior; she hit it over the fence, she was in pain and she deserved a home run. [See photo below]

  

“This … act of sportsmanship mirrors the generosity of spirit and humility of heart that Jesus asks of us.  We have been called to take Jesus’ yoke of compassion, gentleness and joy and allow it to be the core of our lives.  
(“Home run leaders”, Connections, July 6, 2008)

We are called to Live Jesus (the Gospel) on our good days and our bad days, on our joyous days and our sorrowful days. 

How are you Living Jesus every day?

May God Be Praised!