Ordinary Time 21

“I count him braver who overcomes his desires, than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.”
- Aristotle

As we begin a new school year, it seems quite appropriate that the key to any successful life is the art of mastering discipline. I am happy that our Saint Joseph School will open its doors for its 58th year to help train, educate, form and discipline the hearts, the minds, the wills, the dreams and the lives of our children. Discipline comes from the same Latin word as "disciple," which means a "learned trainer." One never becomes successful in anything in life unless one masters the art of discipline. The Epistle of Hebrews in Chapter 12 reminds us that the trials of life can be seen as discipline sent by God to purify our hearts, to enrich our minds, and to strengthen our spirits. Discipline and difficulties in life, at times, may seem as great causes of grief and distress, but they may be a catalyst to great opportunities of new growth, change and conversion. One’s mistakes, failures and difficulties in life may become one’s greatest "teachers" if one learns from them.

In September of 1980, I entered my first year as a freshman at Duquesne University. I recall taking a course in Classical Latin from Dr. Stephen Gaichas. He asked the class on the first day, “Does anyone know how many hours the Steelers practice a day at training camp?” He told us the answer was 4 at that time. He then asked the question, “Does anybody know how many credits this Latin course is?” He responded, “That’s correct - it’s 4 credits. That means we meet 4 times a week for 50 minutes. I want all of you to learn and master Latin well, and in order to do it successfully, you must study Latin 4 hours each day.” He was not kidding! He would give us surprise and pop quizzes, unannounced, on any given day, which kept you on the seat of your pants to learn and study Latin. I recall many in the class had disdain for his teaching methodology, and reasoning. But we learned in the end that it was only to make us better students, to master Latin. Latin, like anything in life takes practice.

The author, H. Jackson Brown, Jr. quipped, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.” We can be going in a lot of places in motion, and may lack self-discipline.

To learn a musical instrument takes practice. To be a good preacher takes practice. To be a good cook takes practice. To be a good surgeon takes practice. To be a good parent takes practice. Exercising takes practice, dieting takes practice. Writing takes practice. Forgiveness takes practice. To be a good Christian, it takes daily practice of prayer. Any discipline to master a skill, takes hard work and it is a struggle to achieve it.

Self-discipline is the foundation for success – it comes through self-mastery, determination, perseverance, sacrifice, and creativity. I recall as a child a plaque in my mother’s house that read:

Take time to think: it is the source of power.
Take time to play: it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read: it is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to pray: it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to love and to be loved: it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to be friendly: it is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh: it is the music of the soul.
Take time to give: it is the way to love.
Take time to work: it is the price of success.
Take time to do charity: it is the key to heaven.

The gift of time trains us to be well balanced, focused, and disciplined, and to live fully each day. Our "teach-ability" is a prerequisite for conversion. Jesus never expected to launch a mass movement where the majority would follow his message.

On this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, in Luke 13:22-30, as Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” God wills that all people should be saved. However, the path to salvation is very narrow, and once one gets off that path through a non-disciplined life, it is hard to find that path again. The broad road to destruction is vast and wide and leads one to spiritual destruction.

The Kingdom of God is present and the door is opened for all. But salvation depends on God’s favor and our honest struggle to follow His ways. Salvation is not something we earn, merit, or deserve. It is a gift totally from God. We must receive it in faith and be converted.

Years ago, the Wall Street Journal held a contest to determine the best definition of the word money. And the surprising winner was, “Money is an article which can be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider in everything except happiness.”

Socrates noted that "undisciplined" and "unreflective" lives are not worth living. Often times, we have a tendency to move around a lot to try to avoid hard times. We move from spouse to spouse, job to job, house to house, friend to friend, unconsciously searching for a "problem-free situation." However, this restless changing indicates that we are running from life and running from ourselves. Thus, we will never find ourselves.

Suffering is part of our training, formation and discipleship. Suffering can purify our soul and transform our character. Suffering is a necessary ingredient to be a mature Christian. Suffering is part of the human condition and God allows us to suffer, yes, but only so that a greater good can come from it. Our pain is to bring us closer to Him by experiencing His power and love. The trite expression is, “No pain, no gain.” None of us wants to swallow the pill of suffering, but without it, we cannot ripen and grow fully in Christ. One is compassionate to others to the degree that one has suffered gracefully.