In the 1978 film, Heaven Can Wait”, Warren Beatty plays Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Joe Pendleton. He spends most of his time training waiting for his big break. It happens when he is slated to start the next game in place of starting quarterback, Tom Jarrett. But Pendleton apparently dies before the big game when he is struck by a truck while riding his bicycle. Turns out his death was premature when an overzealous angel (Buck Henry) pulls him out of the way to prevent him from suffering “pain” during his death. Joe was destined to actually miss the truck and live.
When he asks to just be put back in his body Mr. Jordan (James Mason), the angel’s “boss”, tells him he cannot do that because his body was cremated. Instead he is put into the body of rich business man Leo Farnsworth. Leo, with Joe inhabiting his body, buys the Rams and becomes their quarterback., leading them to the Super Bowl. During the championship game, Farnsworth (Joe) is told he cannot keep Farnsworth’s body but instead is put into the body of Tom Jarrett leading the Rams to Super Bowl victory. Following the win Joe loses his memory of himself and fully becomes Tom Jarrett.
Earl Morrall was a perennial backup quarterback with several NFL football teams. In 1967, when future Hall of Fame quarterback, Johnny Unitas, was injured Morrall led the Baltimore Colts to the best season in their history and takes them to playing in the Super Bowl. 5 years later in 1972, while Morrall was again acting as a backup for the Miami Dolphins, starter Bob Griese was injured for the season. Morrall again stepped into the role of emergency starter and led the Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history and a Super Bowl victory.
In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter and the other 10 Apostles electing a replacement for Judas Iscariot who committed suicide after betraying Jesus. Peter made it clear that Judas’ replacement, his backup, had to have certain requirements. The person had to have been with them throughout. From the Baptism by John, being a witness to Jesus’ Resurrection and a witness to the Ascension. The nomination fell on two men who fit these requirements. Joseph (also called Barsabbas or Justus) and Matthias. It is believed that Matthias was also one of the 70 disciples who Jesus had sent out to preach. Matthias was selected by the remaining disciples to replace Judas. He went on to spread the Gospel and died a martyr.
Joe Pendleton and Earl Morrall were ready when the call came. They had each spent much of their football careers on the bench…waiting. They could each of resigned themselves to the likelihood that they would never see the field again. Each seemed to be “washed up” by popular opinion. But they each remained ready. Ready for The Call that may never come. But it did come. And boy did they shine. One leaving a mark in NFL history and the other in giving us a lesson through cinematic teaching.
Jesus tells us as much in the Gospel reading today from John. He tells his disciples to “remain in my love” by keeping His commandments as He kept the Father’s commandments. And what does it mean to “remain in my love”? It means to stay at Jesus’ side. To study His words. To continue to receive the gift of His body and His blood (assuming we get back to being able to take the chalice again). To speak to Him always in prayer. So when the call comes to defend Him to the world, or to the next person we meet, we will not waiver. And when the final call comes at last, we will all be able to face “Mr. Jordan” and tell him…I AM READY.
