Boxers are trained not to waste punches. They are in the ring, not for exercise, but to win. Every wasted punch leaves them more vulnerable to their opponent and saps limited energy that may be needed later in the bout. This is not a “take it or leave it” message for boxers. They stand against an opponent whose number one goal is to knock them unconscious. They must make every punch count.
Recent popes have continually reminded us that we Christians are in the middle of a great conflict between light and darkness. The rising tide of evil must be combatted by a rising tide of holiness. Like it or not, each of us is a “player in the game.” None of us are “bench warmers” or spectators. We are all “in the ring.”
We look to our leaders to coach us and encourage us. Today we listen to St. Peter as he spoke to early Christians (1 Peter 1:10-16). He reminds us that we live in the fulfillment of the times foreseen by the prophets of old. We are among those to whom .”angels longed to look.”
“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ingnorance…”
It is difficult to have the “loins of our minds” girded up. We are so deluged with the propaganda of a secularistic world that we tend to water down much of God’s truth to accommodate the by the thinking of the world. Living soberly mimics the attitude of the boxer in the ring—always alert, knowing the stakes that are involved. And though we listen to words that tell us to place our hope in the plans of men, the actions of government, or the “goodness” of humans, we stake our hope on the coming of Jesus. As children we do what God tells us is good for us not always what we feel like doing.
Peter goes on to say,
“but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, ‘Be holy because I am holy’.”
Is Peter being realistic when he says “in every aspect?” Is it really possible to be holy as God is holy? Isn’t it okay to seek holiness 85% of the time, and then do our own thing the other 15% ? I listened to a talk on this recently in which the speaker asked the question, what would a wife think of a husband who promised that he would be faithful to her 85% of the time? The goal of holiness is definitely realistic because we have the Holy Spirit inside us to guide, strengthen, and inspire us. It is not our will power that enables us to be holy but the power of the third person of the Blessed Trinity living in us. We can do it! We do not have to waste punches, even for a minute. Victory is within our reach!
Jesus himself adds words of incentive (Mark 10:28-31).
“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more in this present age….and eternal life in the age to come.”
When the disciples, who had given up everything to follow Jesus, walked with him did they lack anything? Of course not. It was the happiest and most exciting three years of their lives. And, those who persevered to the day of Pentecost, received the eternal life of the Holy Spirit besides. The rewards for following Jesus were one hundred times more than all this world had to offer. When times of testing come, Jesus reminds us of our reward. His promises have the power to defeat our discouragement.
Then, he concluded his message with the sober reminder:
“But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Not every boxer who is on top at the end of round one will win the fight. Not everyone who thinks he has it made with God will finish in first place.
“The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice” (Ps 98:3).
