Polar Express (2022-09-04 - Sunday -23rd)

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2022-09-04 –23^rd  Sunday  &     Title:  Communicate. Elevate. Calculate

● ● Wisdom 9:13-18b  ● ● Psalm 90   ●●   Philemon 9-10, 12-17 ●●  + Luke 14:25-33 ● ●

 [__01__]     What does “peak performance” mean?  It means to perform (carry out) a task at the optimum level of your physical ability, talent, and mental capability.

          There are “peak performance” moments in the real-life 2018 expedition of a man named Colin O’Brady to the South Pole, an expedition/trip he trained hard for – physically and mentally, a trip made the all the more difficulty because he was determined to go “solo” without companions and go without an additional supplies – he only had the food and supplies on his sled that he pulled behind him for 900_+ miles.

          There were good peak performance moments. There were also times when he was not at his peak or, as we might say, “hating it”, “hating the severe cold”, loneliness, heaviness of his sled, wondering if he will get to the finish line of his South Pole expedition.

[__02__]    The Gospel is also about the Jesus’ push to the finish line or final destination of Jerusalem.

          It is the Good News that Jesus’ peak performance is when he seems – apparently – to be at his worst, suffering and dying.

          That’s a challenge to our definition of “peak performance” and also a challenge is to hear JC’s use of the provocative verb “to hate”. I thought “hate” was a crime !

          In this context, “to hate” means to choose what is good and to put God first, to put our priorities in order.

          In fact, we are called to love our mother, father, sister, brother and our own lives. God desires your and my peak performance.

          Jesus is also telling us about being his disciples in terms of what we are called to : __ communicate __elevate;  __ __ calculate,

          I’d like to conclude with an example of the “expedition” of Christian marriage – between wife and husband – and “peak performance”

[__03__]    [1^st COMMUNICATE]

          How to  communicate for peak performance?

          Years ago, when I was a college student and not nearly at my “peak” or at my best in one particular semester, I told my parents – seeking their sympathy and mercy – that I was falling behind  seriously in a difficult class (for me) and that I thought I would fail and have to re-take the class again.

          By telling them, I thought I would receive pity.   There was mercy but not what I expected.

They immediately told me, “if you have to re-take this class, you are paying for it. We paid for your college, but we are not paying for summer school.” In other words, there was a real “money withdrawal limit” at the 1^st National Bank of Mom/Dad.

          They were also communicating to me that there was a standard of goodness and righteousness that was not based on their opinion or my opinion.  I did not come to dislike – much less “hate” – my parents for this.  Actually, their difficult communication became a direct motivation and I was able to turn things around and get a decent grade.

          They put a good communication ahead of an easy communication. Easy is not always good. That’s communication, peak performance.

[__04__]    [2^nd ELEVATE]   How to  elevate for peak performance?

Jesus urges you to carry – to elevate - your cross and me to elevate / carry my cross.

          We are at a time in our world where pain and suffering are not the “exception” but rather the “rule” for many people.

          At the same time, while every Christian is called to live out the works of mercy of “Matthew 25”  - I was hungry and gave me to eat; I was sick and you visited me, this does not mean that we can actually make choices for others. Jesus urges us to realize that the only person I can really change is me – the only person you can change is you.

          An example that can help us understand the concept of healthy boundaries is that of the Good Samaritan - the man who “elevates / lifts” the man left beaten up on the side of the road.

Although the Good Samaritan “med-evacs“ / “elevates” him to an “inn” – place to stay – the Good Samaritan does not stay overnight…and only comes back later to check on him…. at some point even the Good Samaritan had to let the person go… the rest of the way, to reach his own peak performance.

 [__05__]     [3^rd CALCULATE]   How to calculate for peak performance?

Jesus gives 2 examples of planning and calculation, building a tower and going into battle.

Jesus’  calculation example is not given to  you– just in case – you are building a tower or going into military service.

          Every commitment in love and friendship is a calculated effort. And, sometimes it is not a simple calculation.

That does not mean we should avoid it!

 

[__06__]      CALCULATION AND PLANNING,

          Our explorer in the South Pole – Colin – was often “calculating” and calibrating how much food to eat, how many miles to go, every calorie and kilometer.

          He was also in daily contact with his wife – Jennifer – who was his partner in the effort.

 [_07_]      Marriage, getting married, involves many calculations, and staying married also involves calculations. Sometimes, they are not easy equations to solve.

          One of the things we have all observed – I have observed – is that many couples who are dating or engaged have decided – before they are married on a “calculation” of “cohabitation”, i.e., of living together.

          This is one definition of “peak performance”

 [_08_]      Yet, these couples are also living in a state of sin.  I encourage them to abstinence. I urge them to go to examine their consciences and make confession before they make their vows.

          Of course, we are all sinners. I myself am no less of a sinner. Nevertheless, this state of mortal sin affects not only their present but their future expectations of married life, their peak performance.

          Yes, there are financial concerns. Living together saves money. I get it.

But, marriage also about saving yourself, and  your future spouse – body and soul. It is a grave danger especially when combined with the use of contraceptives, also against the 6^th commandment.

          So, these are the negative reasons.

          You might say, Hey Padre.. I thought you started this homily taking about “peak performance” / “optimal conditions.”

         

Do  you have anything positive to, say? As they say on a wedding day,  I do.

 [_09_]      [PEAK PERFORMANCE] But, what I am also telling them is that their time apart – of not living together – before marriage – is as important of their coming to know each other as is their time together. We need time apart from our intimate family and friends in order to know them and to know ourselves.

          Also, by not living together, the couple allows their marital intimacy to be supported by a greater emotional and mental connection to each other.

          Also, I wish for couples to know – and for you to know, your children to know, your grandchildren to know – that many couples who do not live together before marriage report greater satisfaction after marriage.

          Also, not living together and abstinence before marriage is excellent preparation for the HEROIC sacrifices and patience required later in marriage. Can you get to this level of “peak performance” and heroism and still live together?  Yes, it is possible, but more difficult.

          The Church is not trying to make your marriage more difficult, but rather an easier calculation

[__10__]      Out on the Antarctic / South Pole ice and snow, Colin our explorer had to check in every night when he made camp and set up his tent.

          The check-in’s with his wife, Jennifer, in Oregon were crucial to his journey. Sometimes, she told him things that he did not want to hear or did not believe were true or possible.

          One time, they were taking inventory – counting – the remaining bags of food and due to all their organization and reorganization during the trip. Colin – on the snow – thought he should have exactly 10 (ten) bags of food but he counted and had 11.

This was distressing to him because he feared the cold and exhaustion were severely affecting his memory. He expected 10, he had 11 and thought he was going crazy.

But, after talking to his wife, he realized that really had 11. They were in synch with their numbers.  While Jennifer – his wife – had never climbed such high mountains or run a triathlon or been to South Pole, her support and calculation, she was able to get through to him as no one else could.

Our Catholic teaching on marriage and the reason couples are called to “wait” is so that they can really be together, really be in synch, for the long term, in every type of weather and climate, and over great distances.      [__END__]