A Fire in the Belly

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/08141


I watched athlete after athlete stream into the Olympic Stadium from the comfort of my own sofa. As one young woman entered excitedly, a commentator remarked, “She’s got a fire in her belly!” It takes fire to compete at the Olympic level—a desire so great that top athletes are willing to sacrifice home, career, leisure and many comforts.
 
This Sunday’s Gospel is all about fire—a passion so hot and fierce it will set the earth ablaze. Jesus longs for its completion to release the fullness of God’s redemptive love. So great in mercy, Jesus willingly undergoes the baptism of death to alleviate humanity’s suffering. Disciples plunge into the waters of baptism and rise to expend their entire lives participating in Christ’s passionate love of dying to self and living for others. Discipleship demands a fire in the belly for sharing Christ’s love and serving God’s people.
 
In the Spirit, Christians burn with Christ’s heart to alleviate suffering in others. A couple reads of abandoned children and become foster parents. A retired woman sees injustice and commits her life to prison ministry. A man witnesses intolerable working conditions and advocates for immigration reform. A young woman joins the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to alleviate poverty in the inner city. A young man discerns the priesthood, eager to bring God’s mercy to spiritual suffering. Discipleship demands a fire in the belly—our hearts ablaze with love—as it costs our entire lives.

Pope Francis exhorted young people at World Youth Day: “Get off your sofa. Jesus is not the Lord of comfort, security and ease. Following Jesus demands a good dose of courage, a readiness to trade in the sofa for a pair of walking shoes and to set out on new and uncharted paths."

Olympian turned Catholic priest, Father Joe Fitzgerald, heard and responded to Jesus’ challenge and traded in his athletic shoes for black walking shoes. He gives experienced advice: “There is a price for everything, and the price for the Olympics is high. What I would say to those getting ready to compete in Rio is, despite all the work put in and the attention it draws; the practices, games and medals do not define who they are. Their greatest title, no matter how many medals they win, is being a beloved son or daughter of God. Knowing this, they should compete, not for their own glory, but for the glory of God.”

As parents, we name grace when we acknowledge Olympic competition is admirable, but reiterate that only Jesus is worthy of our entire lives. We name grace when we teach our children to act on love for anyone who is hurting. We name grace when we witness to Christ—even when controversial. We name grace as we help our children define themselves as Christians over any worldly achievement.

The Holy Spirit propels us off of our sofas and into the race of faith. We’ll need a fire in our bellies, as discipleship often requires running through mud, uphill, and against the wind. But we are not alone; we have the cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we persevere in running the race that lies before us by keeping our eyes on Jesus! Now, that’s good news!

How is God calling you to help alleviate suffering?
How will you kindle a fire in the belly of your children for Jesus?