Get in the game!

 

Every summer as a celebration of our son's birthday, we find a Detroit Tigers game to go to. To say he is a big sports fan (any sport) is a tremendous understatement.

We have a system that works for us. We always go on a Saturday night to avoid the Friday night work traffic. We always pick a night game so we do not swelter in the afternoon sun. We even pick our favorite seats up above home plate.

Yes, we have it figured out as we have been doing this for decades, and it works for us. 

I was thinking about this as I listened to a baseball team analogy by Fr. Al Lauer (decd.) on "Daily Bread" by Presentation Ministries (May 29, 2025.)  

Fr. Lauer imagined a baseball team that only had four players--a pitcher, an infielder, an outfielder and a catcher.

He talked about how ridiculous it would be if the other 20 something players were either sitting in the dugout or observing from the stands.

Then he went on to describe how ridiculous it would be if we, as members of the Body of Christ, were also inactive in the Church, and just "sat it out" in the pews or just observed from the stands.

Are you inactive, even though you are part of the Church's "team"?

The Church is on mission and we can all participate in that mission, in some way.

If we are not physically active anymore, we can certainly be listening disciples, responding to the needs of others. Retired teachers or experienced parents can share their experiences and encourage others to lean into their faith as well. 

To a generation that often places money and position high on the ladder of success--even above family and service sometimes--team members who have learned how futile and dangerous that is need to come off the bench.

Now is the time. 

Just imagine, a baseball team with only four active players, or a Church with a minimal number of active parishioners!

Neither will score very big, that's for sure!

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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