Tebow, the Patriots and Jesus' words...

Image source

(Note: I preached a post-game version of this homily this morning.)

Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Scriptures for today's liturgy)

Audio for homily



I’m not a big fan of professional football
but as a New Englander born and bred,
my loyalty certainly lies with the Patriots.

I won’t, however, be praying tonight for a Pats victory.

I hope they win,
but I’m inclined to let that decision rest more on how well they play
than on urging God to run the scoreboard for our side.

Perhaps you saw the results of a poll taken this past week
in which 43% of those questioned said they believe
that the Bronco’s Tim Tebow’s achievements on the field
can be attributed to divine intervention.

And that, presumably, because Tebow
gives such public expression to his faith.

Now especially when his behavior is contrasted
with the shameful exploits of some other professional athletes,
I have no problem with Tim Tebow kneeling on the field
or praying in sound bytes on the news.

But neither do I believe his words and deeds help guarantee
the accuracy of his arm or a win for his team.

Of course that’s just my opinion.

But I wonder what might Jesus add to our conversation
about Tebow’s faith and the outcome of tonight’s game?

I’d bet that Jesus might say just what he says in today’s gospel:
“What are you looking for?”

What are we looking for?
What do we look for in following Jesus?
Where do we hope he’ll lead us?
What do we ask for in our prayer?
What do we hope God’s answer will be?

We’re all familiar with stories wherein someone is granted three wishes.
Suppose the Lord were to come to you this evening
to tell you he’d grant any three wishes you might make.

Would you squander one of your wishes on the Pats-Bronco game?

Might you wish for peace in the world?
for shelter and food for the homeless and hungry?
for freedom for the oppressed? for the healing of the sick?
for the mending of broken hearts?
for peace with God in your own heart?

In the gospel here, Jesus says something else.
The two disciples ask Jesus where he’s staying
and he replies, “Come, and you will see.”
And they followed him and stayed with him.

Where does the Lord stay today?

Well, you can be sure he’ll be in the Patriots’ locker room tonight --
and that might make you happy --
but you can also be sure he’ll be in the Visitors’ locker room, too --
because the Lord is everywhere and especially in any place
where a human heart is to be found.

Close to 69,000 people will go to the game tonight at Gillette.
Of that number about 60,000 will sit for hours in stadium seats
in the freezing cold.

You won’t find me there.

But I might be among the millions
who spend the evening watching this game.

And many of those watching, including you and me,
will have heard Jesus ask us, just now,
“What are you looking for?”

Now, don’t get me wrong!
Being a Pats fan and watching the game tonight are both great things
and I say, “Go for it!”

But win or lose, before we go to bed tonight -- or perhaps tomorrow,
we might do well to ask ourselves some questions:
What am I looking for?
What might be the three wishes I really pray for?
If we’re sure that God will be in the locker rooms at Gillette tonight,
where is he staying in my life? in my home? where I work?
where I go to school? where is he in my heart?

We look for the Lord at his table tonight,
and there we will find him
in the bread and cup of the Eucharist:
receiving him in Communion, he will come to rest in our hearts.

As we seek and find him tonight at this altar,
so may we look for and find him each day in the week ahead.


Tweet  

 
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments