will I pray?

Homily

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time C2

St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas

24 July 2022

AMDG

Will I pray?

In the 2018 Final Four, the Jayhawks seemed to be the least Catholic team left.  Sr. Jean was chaplain for Loyola. Fr. Bob for Villanova.  Coach Beilein for Michigan went to daily Mass, it was reported.  Reporters called the Catholic Center asking if Catholics were praying for the Jayhawks.  I have to admit I wasn't.  Basketball is not something I pray about.

As you perhaps know, KU was blown out by Cathoilc Villanova right during the Easter Vigil.  Not fair, not fair at all.

If KU had lost to Villanova this year, I was going to call Coach Self and see if he was open to a different approach in playing Catholic schools.  I never had to make the call. We're the National Champs, and the system seems to be working.

Will I pray?

I don't think basketball is worth praying over, at least not for victories. That in all things God will be glorified, including sports, now that is a worthy prayer.

Jesus invites his disciples to pray more personally, more intimately, and for relationship.  He says to cry 'Daddy' and promises the answer to be nothing less than the love that lies at the heart of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Will I pray?  Not for outcomes, for that is too little, but for relationship?  Prayer is our relationship with God who is life itself.  Prayer is always and nothing less than a matter of life and death.

You can distill life down to one question if you wish.

Will I pray?