Blog Post 2/18/2022 - Homily Cycle II - OLPH School Mass

 

Homily Cycle II - OLPH School Mass

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021822.cfm

Last Sunday the Bengals and the Rams played in the Superbowl, and  we saw two outstanding Quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford of the Rams and Joe Burrows of the Bengals. But there is a famous quarterback who just retired, Tom Brady who many considered the G.O.A.T. [The Greatest of All Time].

 

In our reading from St. James, we are told that we need both Faith and Good Works.  St. Mark tells us to deny ourselves and take up our cross.  Lent begins in 12 days and maybe we can learn something from Tom Brady to help us prepare.  I mentioned earlier that G.O.A.T. – means Greatest of All Time, but goat can also mean someone who failed.

Part of Tom Brady’s success was the way he worked at getting better/improving.  He practiced getting 1% or 2% better each day.  Those goals were achievable, and he could consistently do them.

Part of Tom Brady’s success was the way he worked to improve.  His goal was to get 1% or 2% better each day, he knew he could do that each day.  He watched his diet, worked out ran, lifted weights and watched game films.

We have the sacraments, the Mass and our prayers to help strengthen us spiritually.  Also, we can consistently get better by 1or 2% by

1.     Listing to your parents/teachers carefully and attentively.

2.     Selecting one chore around the house you don’t help with now and do that chore for you parents.

3.     Pray each day.

Little by little your hands will be Christ’s hands helping out. And your heart will beat with God’s rhythm.  St. Teresa of Ávila said,  “Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.”  [St. Teresa of Ávila (attributed)]

That is what St. Mark means by taking up your cross.  Someday God will call you a G.O.A.T., you will be a saint, that is why God sent you to earth.  Think about how you can get better by 1% or 2 % each day, then do it.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.