April 26, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “you must walk before you can run.” As a coach, I have experienced individuals who’ve had talent but – because they make a team, put on a uniform, make a shot, complete a pass, or hit a ball – in their minds they are already playing for their favorite teams in the NBA, NFL, or Major League Baseball. But in reality, they haven’t paid their dues. There are still thousands of games yet to be completed, as well as the consistency of play, situational experiences, and of course, the compiling of records.
Those who have directed a high school or college musical or play encountered individuals who, because they have memorized a part, sang a song, or completed a dance routine, have in their minds themselves performing on Broadway or in legitimate theater. But there is a long journey from the local stage to the bright lights of stardom, from being an amateur to a professional.
This is true even for artists. It is not a matter of throwing some paint on a canvas or scribbling figures on paper (I am told that I can’t even do stick figures correctly). Someone may compliment a creative work, but whether or not that translates into popular demand is another question. The statement of the struggling artist is a statement of the willingness of the person to sacrifice and pay the dues necessary to promote and perfect the craft.
No matter how much talent a person has in any field of endeavor, the dues must be paid with endless practices, hours of preparation and sacrifices necessary to climb the proverbial ladder of success. The same is true for the spiritual life.
We are now in the Easter season, and we are told that we are a resurrection people. There is no doubt in my mind of the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. But His resurrection is an affirmation of those who choose to follow the way of Jesus. I have said a number of times that we cannot come to the empty tomb except through the Cross. It’s not that we earn salvation, because there is nothing we could ever do to earn what God’s unconditional love through the crucifixion of His Son has achieved for us. Rather it’s an acceptance of our relationship with the Son of God and our willingness to take that gift of faith and live it to the fullest extent.
I have been privileged to be a coach in the spiritual journey of many faithful. They were extremely talented – or blessed, rather – in responding to the challenges that God has placed in their lives. They did not stand around in the empty tomb, but instead did what Jesus asked of all of us: take up the Cross and follow Him. Think of all the saints who suffered death merely desiring to do what God wanted from them. Embracing the Cross, they knew that the resurrection was assured by HIM who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
To paraphrase our saying in relationship to the spiritual life, let us walk with Him so that we might run with Him forever, and to do so by the way we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
