Lk 6:39-42 Crossing the Finish Line With Both Eyes Open

Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
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Jesus told his disciples a parable:  "Can a blind person guide a blind person?  Will not both fall into a pit?  ...Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?"

This morning, at the elementary school Mass, I surprised our kids by pulling out a chocolate bar at the beginning of the homily. I asked them if they were interested in having it. Immediately, their hands shot up and they all yelled out "I do!!!"  I said, "Who really wants it?"  Again, they raised their hands and said, "Me!!!"  "Really?" I asked them, "Then who is willing to run around the school 10 times for this chocolate bar?"  They all kept their hands up in the air.  "Okay.  Who is willing to run around the school 20 times???"  No one changed their mind.  Finally, I said, "Who is willing to run around the school 30 times for this very small chocolate bar?"  No one turned away.

I couldn't believe it.  It was perfect.  I had the kids exactly where I wanted them.  Once the kids sat down and calmed down, I told them, "Do you realize how silly we are! We're willing to do a lot of work for just a little candy bar.  But do you realize that Christ has a better deal for us, like eternal life for those who follow Him?  That's right!  All we have to do is love God with all our hearts and love our neighbor as much as the Lord loves us, and we gain eternal life.  Are you willing to do this? 

St. Paul wrote:  "Do you not know that the runners 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" (1Cor 9:24-26).

We don't need to compete against each other.  We just need to run and cross the finish line. 

Tweezers for the heart.  Don't waste your time examining your neighbor's stride.  Run and never stop running!  Run in Christ's race.  Run in the greatest race ever.  Run to save your soul for all eternity.  Gear up for the race by gaining grace; that is, by removing the wooden beam from your own heart before carefully removing any splinters from the heart of your neighbor.  Do not allow yourself to be blinded by temporary or fleeting moments, personalities, struggles or successes.  Carry your Cross and keep up with the Lord.

Be loving and you will pick up speed.  Be brave and you will have the wind behind you.  Be forgiving...and you will float across the finish line. 

Cross the finish line with both eyes wide open.  Enjoy your life and have fun changing it.