GET IN THE GAME!

Several years ago while I was working with Habitat for Humanity, our affiliate was building out our first subdivision.  28 families in need were working to build a simple, decent, affordable place to call home.  But this is not the important part.  As the crews worked on these houses, every Saturday 3 young teenagers would show up to work on the houses.  They were respectful, hard workings teens willing to do anything necessary to move the house construction along; framing, roofing, insulation, painting.  One day when I saw them on site I began a conversation with them, wondering what motivates them to work on these houses every weekend.  Their response floored me.

Ten years ago it was their mother who was in need of a simple, decent, affordable home for their family, and it was Habitat for Humanity who gave them the opportunity to succeed in her dream.  The boys anxiously awaited the day that they would be old enough to return the blessing to other families.  They saw their work on the construction site as a way to fulfill other families dreams of safe, affordable housing.  This was their way of getting into the game, of contributing to the success of their community, who contributed so much to their family’s success so many years before.  They told me, “They wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.”

Sometimes we fall into the trap of not showing up, nor participating because we get so lost in our own life challenges or our own daily grind.  That there just isn’t anything left to give.

In the Gospel today, Jesus invites us to show up and participate.  We are to give alms, pray, and fast.  Our job isn’t to give the most money, to starve ourselves, or even to become the best pray-ers like the saints.  Jesus is telling us to just show up and offer whatever you have and just get in the game.

Christians participate by giving money—a lot or a little—so others might eat.  Christians pray every day so our lives are conformed to that of Jesus.  Christians fast—especially in North America where there is so much—because we don’t need all those calories, alcohol, or technology.  We participate because that’s what Jesus did and He calls us to do the same.

Let's all show up because in fasting, giving alms, and in praying, we can share the blessing we have received from our Heavenly Father and we become more like His Son, who gave everything.