Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Anderson called this ña sermon about life in the promised land.'' Literally, the Second Law, the author here establishes the beginning of prophecy. Here again we have the issue of authorship, since biblical criticism assigns this to a different time with a higher ethical tone than was true of Moses, probably around 650 B.C. Biblical literalism would contend this was written by Moses, as I understand the matter. Personally, either explanation is fine with me if weÍre agreed we at least have before us authentic reporting of a transitional time in Jewish theology, a point at which the belief was accepted that certain people would be ñraised up'' within the Jewish community, people whom God would use to speak his word. Those people would be honor bound to speak for God only when it was authentic, with severe consequences for anyone who abused this capability. Thus, this passage informs us that it was believed by the ancients that certain people may speak for God. Today, of course, most of us become uncomfortable when someone claims to do that. The author also warned that consequences would be severe for anyone who claimed such authority undeservedly. As preachers, we do well to display a bit of modesty in preaching. In todayÍs world, the cocksure preacher is viewed with suspicion by most thinking people. Of course we hope we genuinely report the word of God, but not as true prophets. We are called to be evangelists, purveyors of the Good News, but there is a difference.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (C); 1 Corinthians 8:1b-13 (E)
PaulÍs basic point here is the fact that we are role models for other people, and even though we may be able to use restraint when it comes to things which we would not be wise to do to excess, someone else who sees our conduct may do the same without restraint. So, Paul decides ñif food makes my brother sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make my brother fall into sin.'' The ñfood'' is not important here. The principle is what is important, since we donÍt give food to idols much these days. In a sermon, I would raise the entire issue of role modeling. Especially we clergy have people in our congregations who admire us. Never mind that you and I know we all have feet of clay. Many a young woman or man in a congregation looks to the clergy to show the way in ethical conduct.
But nearly all of us regardless of vocation are probably role models for someone. Little League coaches, schoolteachers, political leaders, athletes, business leaders, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers „ you never know. In the Methodist church, clergy were traditionally required to take a vow to use neither tobacco nor alcohol. A generation or so ago that rule was altered to read that we were not to do any of these thins in such a way as ñto injure our influence.'' WeÍll withhold judgment of that change, but observe that all of us as Christians might well observe at least that rule: never do or say things in situations where you may injure your influence. Take note too, that Paul points out that knowledge puffs up with pride, whereas love ñbuilds up.'' I suspect Paul wasnÍt condemning a good education. He was referring to showing off oneÍs knowledge.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (RC)
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (C, RC, E)
Demons. Do they exist? The ancients believed they did. In JesusÍ time it was believed they numbered in the millions, and were dedicated to the destruction of everything and everyone who was good. I refer the reader to William BarclayÍs commentary on this passage for a lengthy examination of the belief in demons. He concludes about as I would. Either there are such spirits, or the lack of any scientific knowledge in ancient times left no other explanation, whereas with our knowledge of germs and viruses and other naturally destructive forces, we know better. Add in the psychosomatic forces with which we are somewhat familiar and we can explain both mental and physical illnesses without resort to such superstition.
Dr. Barclay concluded with this: ñIn the end we come to the conclusion that there are some answers that we do not know.'' That makes sense to me, and yet as Lectionary preachers we are commited to using this passage in preaching. This means each of us must decide on one explanation or the other. Therefore, with the highest regard for those who are convinced there are such fearsome spirits, and confessing that there are times when IÍm not convinced that such a belief is wrong, I come down on the side of the scientific explanation. Furthermore, the complaint that this is to assume that Jesus held a mistaken idea doesnÍt wash. He may very well have been ahead of us on this but knowing that the people of his time were firmly convinced that all sorts of afflictions were caused by evils spirits, he met them where they were in their worldview.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñTell It Like It Is''
Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Theme: I must confess IÍm a little bit stuck with this passage. Probably, this is one I wouldnÍt preach on unless asked to preach to a group of seminarians. I understand what we have here. However, as indicated, I donÍt personally know any preacher „ and I know many „ who I think qualifies as a prophet. That includes me, big time. Goodness, I have breakfast twice a month with some of this cityÍs finest clergy, and we rarely agree on everything we talk about. Same with a different group of us who meet every Thursday. All fine people, but none of us could qualify. I also watch some television preachers. Some are good. But some prance around, pronouncing the ñword of God,'' often with thinly veiled hostility toward anyone else who disagrees. Just because they emphasize repentance and call for commitment doesnÍt mean they speak for God. Unless I also hear love, and acceptance of others, and forgiveness, and GodÍs faith in us declared, and unless I hear some degree of self-deprecation once in a while, I donÍt feel IÍm hearing the voice of God.
1. God does spread the word through people. Paul said, ñWe are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.'' But itÍs ordinary folks like you and me who are to do this. People like Peter who briefly denied Jesus, and James and John, those wonderful ñsons of thunder'' who wanted to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. People like that young fellow Mark who scurried off into the darkness when trouble started.
2. These days God works through people who practice love as Jesus taught, people who are imperfect and know it.
3. We preach GodÍs word these days with our lives as much as with our words. ThereÍs a lot of discussion these days in America whether our private lives are anyoneÍs business. I say that if we propose to be evangelists for Christ, our private lives are very relevant.
4. So, to do this requires repentance, but first the acknowledgement of our imperfection and need for salvation ourselves.
Title: ñWhat You Do Tells What You Are''
Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1, 9-13
Theme: Nearly all of us are influential in the life or lives of others. Parents first of all. I recall a public service television commercial a few years ago which showed a nice-looking man and his little son walking down a country road. Dad picked up a pebble and tossed it. So did his son. Then Dad did something else (skipped, or broke off a twig) and the son did the same thing. Finally, Dad sat down under a tree and the boy sat exactly as his Dad did. Then the man pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighted one, setting the package on the ground. The very end of the commercial showed the little fellowÍs hand reaching for the package.
1. People who love or admire us will emulate us.
2. Love which builds up tries to set a high standard.
3. Our words are not so influential as are our actions. The old adage, ñDo as I say, not as I do,'' is wrong.
Title: ñWhat If?''
Text: Mark 1:21-28
Theme: What if some of us have this all wrong? What if the choices arenÍt those between scientific explanation or human sinfulness on the one hand and evil, spiritual creatures on the other hand? Did you see the movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark? Remember near the end when the Nazi soldiers all sort of melted, and wispy, horrible-faced creatures drifted skyward? IsnÍt that how some of us imagine evil spirits? Or in the movie Ghost when a criminal was killed while running away. He thought he was free, but several ghastly, shrieking beings dashed up to him from the darkness and dragged him away. Is that how we think of Evil? What if thatÍs too anthropomorphic? What if there are spiritual realities more akin to darkness or to unthinkable cold? I mean, what if a total absence of goodness and love leaves a destructive force which can rob life of all kindness? What if there is intelligence within that terrible blackness, not spirits having form as we might imagine, as the ancients imagined, but something unimaginable to our minds just as the Holy Spirit, and Heaven, and God himself (or herself for those who prefer) is unimaginable to our tiny minds?
I have to admit there are moments in my life when I do or say something which I later hate. Oh, I havenÍt commited any crimes. But I have been guilty of losing my temper in the presence of my wife, frightening her, freezing out love for a moment. I once became terribly agitated and threw an expensive letter opener across a room (I was alone at the time) and ruined it. A loving relative had given me that opener, it had a Waterford handle, and it was given in love. How could I have done that? IÍm not a bad person. I donÍt hurt people or wish anyone bad luck or say untrue things about people. Why do I do these things then? Is it only sin? Or does some frightening darkness creep into my own spirit unbeknownst to me long enough to influence me, trying to occupy my soul? C. S. Lewis calls this world ñenemy-occupied territory.'' Referring to the spirit of Evil, he states: ñI do not claim to know anything about his personal appearance. If anyone really wants to know him better I would say to that person, ïDonÍt worry. If you really want to, you will. Whether youÍll like it when you do is another question.Í ''
Maybe I should be as Dr. Barclay said when it comes to the question of whether there is an Evil intelligence seeking to possess us: ñThere are some things we cannot know.'' But this I know. There is a Good and Loving Spirit who seeks to possess my soul, and if I allow that to happen, while I will have to continue resisting that other force, and while I will live in this world of ñenemy-occupied territory,'' I need not fear that power. I am safe in a higher power, one which I know through Jesus Christ.
1. What do we mean by Evil? What does the Bible say about this?
2. How can we explain things like war, and murder, and drug addiction, and abuse of those we are supposed to love?
3. How can we resist such forces? ItÍs much too simple to say, ñWith religion.'' There must be treatment, counseling, incarceration, but also forgiveness, understanding, new chances.
4. What part, then, does our Christian faith play? Are we ourselves at risk?
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
In the early years of my ministry I was a closet smoker. On sermon preparation day, I would hide out in my study at home and go through three-fourths of a pack of cigarettes. The following day, I would smoke what were left as I finished working through my sermon. For the next five days I didnÍt smoke, but come the following week, same thing. One day my grade-school-aged daughter walked in (she knew „ non-smokers always know) and said, ñDad, the teacher said smoking causes cancer.'' Then out she went. For a long time I sat staring into space. Who would my child believe? Me or the teachers? It was a lot to give up, but I realized that my decision about smoking might very well determine whether she would ever smoke. So I quit. IÍm of course glad now that I did so. My daughter never smoked.
____________
In Between Parent And Child, Dr. Haim Ginott wrote this: ñAn interested observer who overhears a conversation between a parent and child will note with complete surprise how little each listens to the other. The conversation sounds like two monologues, one consisting of criticism and instructions, the other of denial and pleading. The tragedy of such ïcommunicationÍ lies, not in the lack of love, but in the lack of respect; not in the lack of intelligence, but in the lack of skill.
ñOur everyday language is not adequate for communicating meaningfully with children. To reach children, and to reduce parental frustration, we need a new mode of relating to children, including new ways of conversing with them.''
____________
Author Dan Wakefield writes: ñThere has been a turnabout in spiritual awareness in the last thirty years ... since the ïGod is deadÍ thinking of the 1950s there is a growing belief in the legitimacy of miracles, a spiritual force as opposed to absolute science and psychiatry.'' He pointed out that a half century ago, intellectuals would have scoffed at the thought. ñBut ïthe senses are being made finer so the eye can see and the ear can hear,Í '' he quoted Willa Cather. ñIt is giving us a new spiritual direction,'' he continued. ñThis is especially manifest in the field of medicine where emotional and spiritual healing has become an accepted part of treatment. Attitude and prayer have come to be as important as technology in the healing process.''
____________
Jim Armstrong, writing about the great Phillips Brooks, quoted a nineteenth century writer this way: ñBrooksÍ mission as a preacher seemed to be to render theology into life. Truth ... in the abstract had little charm for him.'' Armstrong then went on to write: ñThe truth-telling of the Christian, while transcendent in its point of reference, must be down to earth. It must face real people in a real world, addressing the deepest individual needs of those people while probing and interpreting the demanding complexities and mandates for radical change that are integral to the present scene. Such preaching will save us from what Richard Neuhaus calls ïresignation to the cave and loss of nerve in the face of the future.Í ''
____________
An article in the sports section of our local newspaper told of a young high school football player named Paul Strabavy. He plays for the team in Whiting, a town in Indiana near the shores of Lake Michigan. The boy is a fullback, six foot two, 220 pounds. Described as ña bruising fullback,'' he rushed for 2,256 yards and also contributed 173 tackles and six interceptions from the linebacker position. He can also punt the football 65 yards in the air. He can bench press 320 pounds and squat 530 pounds. Experts are already comparing Paul to some outstanding NFL players. But what makes him interesting for me is the fact that the person he admires most is his father, a police officer. He has been taught good manners, and to treat people with respect and good spirit. One day, in his freshman year, he got up from a gang of tacklers and began swearing. Then he stopped. He later said, ñThat wasnÍt me.'' He vowed then never to do that again. His coach says he never has. The boyÍs father described his son as having ñalways been a nice person.'' Of himself, Paul Strabavy says, ñI like being a kid who is nice to everyone ... I help other players and donÍt talk trash.''
I liked this article and believe it exemplifies the qualities possible in good family life. HereÍs a young man who could get away with bad conduct, given his remarkable physical capabilities, yet he has been taught to be ñnice'' to people. It takes a certain amount of courage these days for macho young men to use that word about themselves. I donÍt know this family at all, but I say there are some good people. It can be done.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) „ ñI will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.''
Psalm 94 (RC) „ ñGod of vengeance.''
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God, be patient with those of us whom you have called to preach, we pray. Sometimes we fall short, too busy, too tired, or just too lazy to do our homework. We know we fail you when this is true. We pray, then, for energy of body and mind with which to keep the faith as we are called to do. We thank you for this calling and pledge to renew our efforts to be faithful. Amen.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Anderson called this ña sermon about life in the promised land.'' Literally, the Second Law, the author here establishes the beginning of prophecy. Here again we have the issue of authorship, since biblical criticism assigns this to a different time with a higher ethical tone than was true of Moses, probably around 650 B.C. Biblical literalism would contend this was written by Moses, as I understand the matter. Personally, either explanation is fine with me if weÍre agreed we at least have before us authentic reporting of a transitional time in Jewish theology, a point at which the belief was accepted that certain people would be ñraised up'' within the Jewish community, people whom God would use to speak his word. Those people would be honor bound to speak for God only when it was authentic, with severe consequences for anyone who abused this capability. Thus, this passage informs us that it was believed by the ancients that certain people may speak for God. Today, of course, most of us become uncomfortable when someone claims to do that. The author also warned that consequences would be severe for anyone who claimed such authority undeservedly. As preachers, we do well to display a bit of modesty in preaching. In todayÍs world, the cocksure preacher is viewed with suspicion by most thinking people. Of course we hope we genuinely report the word of God, but not as true prophets. We are called to be evangelists, purveyors of the Good News, but there is a difference.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (C); 1 Corinthians 8:1b-13 (E)
PaulÍs basic point here is the fact that we are role models for other people, and even though we may be able to use restraint when it comes to things which we would not be wise to do to excess, someone else who sees our conduct may do the same without restraint. So, Paul decides ñif food makes my brother sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make my brother fall into sin.'' The ñfood'' is not important here. The principle is what is important, since we donÍt give food to idols much these days. In a sermon, I would raise the entire issue of role modeling. Especially we clergy have people in our congregations who admire us. Never mind that you and I know we all have feet of clay. Many a young woman or man in a congregation looks to the clergy to show the way in ethical conduct.
But nearly all of us regardless of vocation are probably role models for someone. Little League coaches, schoolteachers, political leaders, athletes, business leaders, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers „ you never know. In the Methodist church, clergy were traditionally required to take a vow to use neither tobacco nor alcohol. A generation or so ago that rule was altered to read that we were not to do any of these thins in such a way as ñto injure our influence.'' WeÍll withhold judgment of that change, but observe that all of us as Christians might well observe at least that rule: never do or say things in situations where you may injure your influence. Take note too, that Paul points out that knowledge puffs up with pride, whereas love ñbuilds up.'' I suspect Paul wasnÍt condemning a good education. He was referring to showing off oneÍs knowledge.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (RC)
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (C, RC, E)
Demons. Do they exist? The ancients believed they did. In JesusÍ time it was believed they numbered in the millions, and were dedicated to the destruction of everything and everyone who was good. I refer the reader to William BarclayÍs commentary on this passage for a lengthy examination of the belief in demons. He concludes about as I would. Either there are such spirits, or the lack of any scientific knowledge in ancient times left no other explanation, whereas with our knowledge of germs and viruses and other naturally destructive forces, we know better. Add in the psychosomatic forces with which we are somewhat familiar and we can explain both mental and physical illnesses without resort to such superstition.
Dr. Barclay concluded with this: ñIn the end we come to the conclusion that there are some answers that we do not know.'' That makes sense to me, and yet as Lectionary preachers we are commited to using this passage in preaching. This means each of us must decide on one explanation or the other. Therefore, with the highest regard for those who are convinced there are such fearsome spirits, and confessing that there are times when IÍm not convinced that such a belief is wrong, I come down on the side of the scientific explanation. Furthermore, the complaint that this is to assume that Jesus held a mistaken idea doesnÍt wash. He may very well have been ahead of us on this but knowing that the people of his time were firmly convinced that all sorts of afflictions were caused by evils spirits, he met them where they were in their worldview.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñTell It Like It Is''
Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Theme: I must confess IÍm a little bit stuck with this passage. Probably, this is one I wouldnÍt preach on unless asked to preach to a group of seminarians. I understand what we have here. However, as indicated, I donÍt personally know any preacher „ and I know many „ who I think qualifies as a prophet. That includes me, big time. Goodness, I have breakfast twice a month with some of this cityÍs finest clergy, and we rarely agree on everything we talk about. Same with a different group of us who meet every Thursday. All fine people, but none of us could qualify. I also watch some television preachers. Some are good. But some prance around, pronouncing the ñword of God,'' often with thinly veiled hostility toward anyone else who disagrees. Just because they emphasize repentance and call for commitment doesnÍt mean they speak for God. Unless I also hear love, and acceptance of others, and forgiveness, and GodÍs faith in us declared, and unless I hear some degree of self-deprecation once in a while, I donÍt feel IÍm hearing the voice of God.
1. God does spread the word through people. Paul said, ñWe are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.'' But itÍs ordinary folks like you and me who are to do this. People like Peter who briefly denied Jesus, and James and John, those wonderful ñsons of thunder'' who wanted to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. People like that young fellow Mark who scurried off into the darkness when trouble started.
2. These days God works through people who practice love as Jesus taught, people who are imperfect and know it.
3. We preach GodÍs word these days with our lives as much as with our words. ThereÍs a lot of discussion these days in America whether our private lives are anyoneÍs business. I say that if we propose to be evangelists for Christ, our private lives are very relevant.
4. So, to do this requires repentance, but first the acknowledgement of our imperfection and need for salvation ourselves.
Title: ñWhat You Do Tells What You Are''
Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1, 9-13
Theme: Nearly all of us are influential in the life or lives of others. Parents first of all. I recall a public service television commercial a few years ago which showed a nice-looking man and his little son walking down a country road. Dad picked up a pebble and tossed it. So did his son. Then Dad did something else (skipped, or broke off a twig) and the son did the same thing. Finally, Dad sat down under a tree and the boy sat exactly as his Dad did. Then the man pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighted one, setting the package on the ground. The very end of the commercial showed the little fellowÍs hand reaching for the package.
1. People who love or admire us will emulate us.
2. Love which builds up tries to set a high standard.
3. Our words are not so influential as are our actions. The old adage, ñDo as I say, not as I do,'' is wrong.
Title: ñWhat If?''
Text: Mark 1:21-28
Theme: What if some of us have this all wrong? What if the choices arenÍt those between scientific explanation or human sinfulness on the one hand and evil, spiritual creatures on the other hand? Did you see the movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark? Remember near the end when the Nazi soldiers all sort of melted, and wispy, horrible-faced creatures drifted skyward? IsnÍt that how some of us imagine evil spirits? Or in the movie Ghost when a criminal was killed while running away. He thought he was free, but several ghastly, shrieking beings dashed up to him from the darkness and dragged him away. Is that how we think of Evil? What if thatÍs too anthropomorphic? What if there are spiritual realities more akin to darkness or to unthinkable cold? I mean, what if a total absence of goodness and love leaves a destructive force which can rob life of all kindness? What if there is intelligence within that terrible blackness, not spirits having form as we might imagine, as the ancients imagined, but something unimaginable to our minds just as the Holy Spirit, and Heaven, and God himself (or herself for those who prefer) is unimaginable to our tiny minds?
I have to admit there are moments in my life when I do or say something which I later hate. Oh, I havenÍt commited any crimes. But I have been guilty of losing my temper in the presence of my wife, frightening her, freezing out love for a moment. I once became terribly agitated and threw an expensive letter opener across a room (I was alone at the time) and ruined it. A loving relative had given me that opener, it had a Waterford handle, and it was given in love. How could I have done that? IÍm not a bad person. I donÍt hurt people or wish anyone bad luck or say untrue things about people. Why do I do these things then? Is it only sin? Or does some frightening darkness creep into my own spirit unbeknownst to me long enough to influence me, trying to occupy my soul? C. S. Lewis calls this world ñenemy-occupied territory.'' Referring to the spirit of Evil, he states: ñI do not claim to know anything about his personal appearance. If anyone really wants to know him better I would say to that person, ïDonÍt worry. If you really want to, you will. Whether youÍll like it when you do is another question.Í ''
Maybe I should be as Dr. Barclay said when it comes to the question of whether there is an Evil intelligence seeking to possess us: ñThere are some things we cannot know.'' But this I know. There is a Good and Loving Spirit who seeks to possess my soul, and if I allow that to happen, while I will have to continue resisting that other force, and while I will live in this world of ñenemy-occupied territory,'' I need not fear that power. I am safe in a higher power, one which I know through Jesus Christ.
1. What do we mean by Evil? What does the Bible say about this?
2. How can we explain things like war, and murder, and drug addiction, and abuse of those we are supposed to love?
3. How can we resist such forces? ItÍs much too simple to say, ñWith religion.'' There must be treatment, counseling, incarceration, but also forgiveness, understanding, new chances.
4. What part, then, does our Christian faith play? Are we ourselves at risk?
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
In the early years of my ministry I was a closet smoker. On sermon preparation day, I would hide out in my study at home and go through three-fourths of a pack of cigarettes. The following day, I would smoke what were left as I finished working through my sermon. For the next five days I didnÍt smoke, but come the following week, same thing. One day my grade-school-aged daughter walked in (she knew „ non-smokers always know) and said, ñDad, the teacher said smoking causes cancer.'' Then out she went. For a long time I sat staring into space. Who would my child believe? Me or the teachers? It was a lot to give up, but I realized that my decision about smoking might very well determine whether she would ever smoke. So I quit. IÍm of course glad now that I did so. My daughter never smoked.
____________
In Between Parent And Child, Dr. Haim Ginott wrote this: ñAn interested observer who overhears a conversation between a parent and child will note with complete surprise how little each listens to the other. The conversation sounds like two monologues, one consisting of criticism and instructions, the other of denial and pleading. The tragedy of such ïcommunicationÍ lies, not in the lack of love, but in the lack of respect; not in the lack of intelligence, but in the lack of skill.
ñOur everyday language is not adequate for communicating meaningfully with children. To reach children, and to reduce parental frustration, we need a new mode of relating to children, including new ways of conversing with them.''
____________
Author Dan Wakefield writes: ñThere has been a turnabout in spiritual awareness in the last thirty years ... since the ïGod is deadÍ thinking of the 1950s there is a growing belief in the legitimacy of miracles, a spiritual force as opposed to absolute science and psychiatry.'' He pointed out that a half century ago, intellectuals would have scoffed at the thought. ñBut ïthe senses are being made finer so the eye can see and the ear can hear,Í '' he quoted Willa Cather. ñIt is giving us a new spiritual direction,'' he continued. ñThis is especially manifest in the field of medicine where emotional and spiritual healing has become an accepted part of treatment. Attitude and prayer have come to be as important as technology in the healing process.''
____________
Jim Armstrong, writing about the great Phillips Brooks, quoted a nineteenth century writer this way: ñBrooksÍ mission as a preacher seemed to be to render theology into life. Truth ... in the abstract had little charm for him.'' Armstrong then went on to write: ñThe truth-telling of the Christian, while transcendent in its point of reference, must be down to earth. It must face real people in a real world, addressing the deepest individual needs of those people while probing and interpreting the demanding complexities and mandates for radical change that are integral to the present scene. Such preaching will save us from what Richard Neuhaus calls ïresignation to the cave and loss of nerve in the face of the future.Í ''
____________
An article in the sports section of our local newspaper told of a young high school football player named Paul Strabavy. He plays for the team in Whiting, a town in Indiana near the shores of Lake Michigan. The boy is a fullback, six foot two, 220 pounds. Described as ña bruising fullback,'' he rushed for 2,256 yards and also contributed 173 tackles and six interceptions from the linebacker position. He can also punt the football 65 yards in the air. He can bench press 320 pounds and squat 530 pounds. Experts are already comparing Paul to some outstanding NFL players. But what makes him interesting for me is the fact that the person he admires most is his father, a police officer. He has been taught good manners, and to treat people with respect and good spirit. One day, in his freshman year, he got up from a gang of tacklers and began swearing. Then he stopped. He later said, ñThat wasnÍt me.'' He vowed then never to do that again. His coach says he never has. The boyÍs father described his son as having ñalways been a nice person.'' Of himself, Paul Strabavy says, ñI like being a kid who is nice to everyone ... I help other players and donÍt talk trash.''
I liked this article and believe it exemplifies the qualities possible in good family life. HereÍs a young man who could get away with bad conduct, given his remarkable physical capabilities, yet he has been taught to be ñnice'' to people. It takes a certain amount of courage these days for macho young men to use that word about themselves. I donÍt know this family at all, but I say there are some good people. It can be done.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) „ ñI will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.''
Psalm 94 (RC) „ ñGod of vengeance.''
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God, be patient with those of us whom you have called to preach, we pray. Sometimes we fall short, too busy, too tired, or just too lazy to do our homework. We know we fail you when this is true. We pray, then, for energy of body and mind with which to keep the faith as we are called to do. We thank you for this calling and pledge to renew our efforts to be faithful. Amen.
