Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, June 29, 2025

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation…I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

What does it take to be fully committed to something, to succeed at the highest level? When my son was young, he wanted to be a professional baseball player. Yet, he also wanted to play football, spend time with his friends, watch TV, and do many other things in his young life. He was committed to baseball, but he also had a few other interests which prevented him from being “all in.” On the other hand, when Paul says that he “competed well,” he means that he gave every ounce of his being to Christ. He has been “poured out” and there is not a drop left. He held nothing back. When he says that he “finished the race,” he means that he literally collapsed at the end because he had nothing more to give. Throughout it all, he never gave up – he “kept the faith.” What about our relationship with Jesus Christ? As someone once asked, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Jesus is very clear about the ideals of discipleship: Love your neighbor and your enemy; welcome the stranger; visit the sick and imprisoned; help the hungry and thirsty; clothe the naked; and, forgive. That’s what it takes to be fully committed to Jesus. Most of us probably agree in principle with those ideals. But it’s much harder to follow Jesus in real life than in principle. Love, hospitality, and forgiveness, are great until we actually meet a stranger or are hurt by someone. Then it’s a different story. That’s when we are likely to say, “Yes, I know how He wants me to act, but I can’t follow Him in this situation.”

We all want to run the race for Jesus, with Jesus, and to Jesus. Yet, sometimes we face moments when it’s easier to take a break, do something else, stop training and racing. We may want to “save something” of ourselves just in cast this “Jesus thing” doesn’t work out. Those are the moments when we have to dig deeply, eliminate distractions, and remind ourselves that the pain and distractions are temporary. We are committed to winning the crown that is eternal.

Fr. Mike