Injury Not Needed to Give of Yourself

A few months ago I was spending many of my nights watching the NHL playoff series between the Boston Bruins and my hometown Tampa Bay Lightning. Our Bolts, however, were having to play without Steven Stamkos, the team captain, who was injured. It's times like those when you'll hear a coach say something like, "It's not an ideal situation, but, we'll just have to find a way." And I'm thinking about the sacrifices that we, as Catholic Christians, make during the season of Lent. And just like someone might wonder why an athlete's injury would get talked about during a sport's off-season, you're probably questioning why I would be bringing up Lent when it's not that time on the church calendar. However, just like you might talk about a sport or an athlete whether they're in-season or not, we can fast anytime of year, not just during Lent. It can, and should, draw us closer to God as we offer up our sacrifice to Him. But in doing so, remember the words from Matthew chapter 6, verses 16-18, when Jesus says, "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what you is hidden will repay you." Friends, athletes sacrifice their bodies for the sport they love. Let us consider what sacrifices we can make for the Father who loves us.