Worth the wait

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Responsorial Psalm: Palm 45
Gospel: Luke 6:20-26


When I was a sophomore in college, I had decided to not play football anymore so I could concentrate on school. To stay active and competitive, I began getting into endurance sports such as running and triathlons. In the past couple of years, I have used these activities to not only compete for myself, but to compete for God. It is He who has given me the abilities that I have, and I need to use all of my talents to glorify Him. One thing that I have learned from competing in endurance sports is that the longer the distance, the harder it is. And the greater the distance of the race, the greater the training and preparation is. In each race, I always try to keep focused on two things: 1) I am competing for God's glory, not my own, and 2) That feeling of finishing the race. Some people compete for a medal, some to set a new record...don't get me wrong, I go out and do my best and perhaps one day might win a medal or set a new record , but for me finishing a race, and finishing strong is just such an amazing feeling of accomplishment. That feeling itself is reward enough for me.

In today's world, we are bombarded by a "have it now, no work, get your rewards without the work" mentality. I think that we can all look back though, and if we think about the greatest rewards that we have received we realize that these rewards were earned, not just freely given to us. What is/was your greatest reward? A high school or college diploma? Your marriage? A job promotion that you worked hard for? Community service? For each of us it is different, but for all of our greatest rewards, we had to work hard for. Hard work and earning things seem to be values that are slipping away from us and our young people.

Today in the gospel, we are given in the beatitudes ways of living. We are told that we do not need to worry about how hard things are right now because there will be a great reward in the end. We are told if you are poor, you will have the kingdom of God. If you are weeping, you will laugh again. If people hate you, exclude you and insult you; then be happy. Jesus tells us to "Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold your reward will be great in heaven." (Lk 6:23) It is like in a race, we must work through the pain, the fatigue, the mental exhaustion, the lack of focus...all for finishing the race and claiming our prize. But like a race, in our faith lives we must always persevere and keep our thoughts on the end reward.

I think that this idea of living a hard life to gain a reward in the end is very hard for us to accept. I think it is hard because it takes a great amount of faith. Our faith teaches us to believe without seeing. It is hard for us to think about going to heaven after this life because we don't really have any idea what it is like. Yes, we have images and likenesses, but nothing solid like a picture or DVD. It is not like you can just go to your local vacation planner and request a brochure on heaven. Believeing wihtout seeing, is an important aspect of faith. This is where we just need to trust in God and think, "yeah, that's where I want to end up; and anything that I have to go through here on earth will be worth it. Heaven will be worth the wait."

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Send your Spirit to us Lord so that we might have a stronger faith and sacrifice for you. Lord let us accept your love and mercy, humble ourselves and follow you so that in the end we might claim our reward in heaven. Lord we pray for all those who seek to know you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.