Where would professional sports be if a world-class athlete were not to give 100% to preparing for the big games or the Olympics because he or she was worried along the way that they might be traded to another team?  For this reason they need to mentally prepare themselves for the task at hand trusting that whatever happens, they’ve given everything and it’s never in vane!  This analogy may not be an exact fit for our Disciples today, but it might be worth our own consideration as Christians.  We prepare and work as Christian Disciples for something we can’t see around us right now – Heaven and Eternal Life!  Jesus says “blessed are the eyes that see what you see”.

The Son of God entered the world and performed miracles and did many things before the eyes of the people.  His Apostles & Disciples did many of these things as well.  Everything they (and we) do is for God and the blessedness of eternal life with and for Him.  Our lives are given to tasks that very much benefit this world but are meant for things far beyond.  And when we see God, God’s actions in the world (people being drawn back to God, back to the sacraments, back to His Word), and we see God in others and acting in that person and through the Person of His Son – truly, blessed are our eyes to see that!  Friends, we too need to mentally prepare ourselves as athletes do, but most importantly as Disciples of the Lord do, to go out and work tirelessly for the most blessed of all things: faith, redemption and salvation – and know that the Lord who empowers us to do this, blesses us as He did those in today’s Gospel.