Deacon Mike Meyer / Sunday, March 2, 2025 / Categories: Blog, Homilies Spiritual Strength Homily for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Over coffee a few weeks ago, my friend Eric shared some advice he gave to a promising young athlete that I think applies to every human endeavor. He told her that athletes at the highest level of their sport share a holistic approach to their craft that has 5 components. Extending his hand with fingers parted, he grabbed his thumb and said, “All successful athletes have great technique and skill.” Moving to his index finger, he said, “All successful athletes have the highest level of strength and endurance.” Taking his middle finger, Eric showed me what he really thought of me . . . and then said, “All successful athletes have proper nutrition.” On his ring finger, Eric told the young athlete that most, but not all, successful athletes have a recovery strategy. Finally, taking hold of his pinky, Eric said that only exceptional athletes develop the fifth quality: spiritual strength. If I didn’t know him better, I’d think that Eric had read today’s readings ahead of time because our readings make clear that if we want to be complete, exceptional human beings, we need spiritual strength. Today’s readings teach us that what’s inside matters. The fruit we bear, our choices, actions, and words, develop and mature in our souls, the core of our being where the Holy Spirit resides, where our fundamental values and morals are incubated, strengthened, and preserved, and where all elements of the material world can be brought to their highest perfection. You see, human beings are an inseparable union of body and spirit; we’re creatures who encounter both the physical world and the profound, spiritual reality that lies beyond it. To be fully human, to be exceptional human beings, to produce good fruit, we have to be strong enough to encounter both worlds to the fullest. We have to exercise the physical and spiritual aspects of our being. The first four fingers require physical or mental exercise of one sort or another. The fifth requires spiritual exercise. We all generally understand the benefits of physical strength and the exercise needed to achieve it, but most of us probably don’t really understand the benefits of spiritual strength. Yet, without that fifth component, we’re at best functioning at 80 percent of our potential. We’re getting an 8 out of 10, a B- or C+ in life, depending on who’s grading. The benefits of spiritual strength become apparent when we remember that the things of this world are fleeting. In time, our awards will fade along with our bodies, and we’ll eventually die. To the extent that we find meaning and value only in this material world, only in physical achievements and material wealth, we’ll eventually be left with nothing. That’s why legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson kept a deflated basketball in his office—he wanted to remind his players not to pin their sense of personal value and meaning on a game they’ll someday stop playing. We need a source of strength that can never be deflated. We need a source of strength that extends beyond this world, offers us everlasting value, and gives ultimate meaning to our lives. The only strength that fits the bill is spiritual strength; the only source of spiritual strength is God. God alone is eternal. God alone is all-powerful, so if we want a strength that endures all things and can accomplish anything, we need a deep relationship with God. When we live in a loving relationship with God, our families, friends, total strangers, and even people we don’t like, we’re filled with the spiritual strength that helps us live the exceptional lives God intended for us. It helps us succeed and bear good fruit. Our athletic, creative, and even mundane endeavors are nothing without God, but when we devote them to the glory of God and human flourishing, we tap into an eternal strength that never fails. So how do we get there? How do we exercise our spiritual side and develop spiritual strength? We start by building our relationship with God. Coming to Church is a spiritual exercise – maybe that’s why we’re always so tired during Fr. Chester’s homilies. Praying is a spiritual exercise. Pondering, questioning, and learning more about our faith are all spiritual exercises that develop our relationship with God. When we do these things, we love God, enter into communion with God, and immerse ourselves in the wellspring of spiritual strength, which is God. Next, we build our relationships with family, friends, and others. Eat dinner together, play games together, watch a sunset together, pray before meals, practices, games, events, concerts, and shows together, worship together. These activities may seem old-fashioned or corny, but they’re all spiritual exercises that develop our values and morals, sense of self-worth, and meaning in life. They stand the test of time because they work. We live in a society where the bleachers and auditoriums are full, but the pews are empty, and we’re left spiritually weak because of it. We need to get back to basics, exercise our spiritual side, and build spiritual strength. Jalen Hurts, Scottie Shefler, Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, Reba McEntire, Matthew McConaughey, Michelangelo—I could go on and on. These people are widely acclaimed for performing at the top of their craft, and all of them have credited and thanked God for their success. If you want to be an accomplished actor, athlete, or attorney, a renowned wrestler, writer, or rapper, or a prized parent, pediatrician, or pal, listen to Eric. Exercise your spiritual side, and you’ll find strength that’s out of this world. Readings: Sirach 27:4-7; Psalm 92; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45 The Missing Piece Print 1048 Please login or register to post comments.