It’s Half Time!

Fr. John Cusick, Director

Young Adult Ministry Office

 On certain unexpected occasions, something happens in a locker room during half-time of a major basketball or football game.  I am sure the same can be said for that time between periods in a hockey game.

Recently I was watching the NCAA playoff basketball between Duke and Arizona. I am not a trained basketball eye, but it seemed to me that Duke had mastered the first half of the basketball game. They played with discipline, shot the ball pretty well, and took a 5 point half time lead into the locker room. On the other side, Arizona seemed disconnected, listless, and only one of their players was scoring from all over the basketball floor.

When they came out of the locker room at the end of half-time, the tables turned completely and almost immediately. Arizona was the aggressor. They play hard and fast. They hit from the outside and drove to the basket. They became unstoppable. Duke was now disconnected, listless and had a hard time scoring. Was this the same team I watched 25 minutes ago?

It was very clear that the second half and the game belonged to Arizona. They won handily by 16 points!

What went on in the Arizona locker room at half-time? Same players, same game, same coaches, same opponent, same venue, same crowd, and a totally different result!

Something fired each one of them up during that half-time do play better, remember their plays and keep their eye on the prize: winning the game.

Do you see where this is going?

For us and for our Lenten season it is half-time – three weeks down and three more to go. It is our locker room time. How are we doing? How is our resolve? What path did we lay out for ourselves on Ash Wednesday? What promises did we make to ourselves and/or to the Lord? What goals did we set? How do we get fired up for the second half ….of Lent?

Think about those questions today. Answer them. Once you do, get ready for the second half.

Here are a few “tips” to play the second half of Lent with passion and effectiveness.

1.      To what did you commit yourself on Ash Wednesday? Do it!

2.      Lent is to live more like Jesus Christ in three ways: prayer, sacrifice, generosity.

3.      Prayer. Here are two ideas to add to your second-half strategy. Go to daily Mass once a week. You might to get up a little earlier, but it is well worth it. You will find daily Mass so peaceful and prayerful. Same “Amen” to the Body of Christ and head off to work. Commit 5-10 minutes of your day to reflection with the Lord. Go to www.sacredspace.ie and follow the prompts.

4.      Sacrifice. Skip a meal once a week (if you can medically). Eat less. Cut out criticism or negative comments for one day a week for the next three weeks. That is just 3 days. Pick the same day of the week. How about 3 “criticism free, or lunch free” Wednesdays?

5.      Generosity. What did you save by cutting back a meal or two or from fasting from one meal? Give the money away. What would help build a better world? What charity supports that? Look it up on the internet. Send them a check. Even a small check for $5. Pass out some unexpected “generous” comments to others at work, in the family or friends you respect and love (even a wife/husband fits here, too!)

We are doing all this Lenten stuff because of the ultimate love the Lord Jesus has showed us. We will see it all so clearly on Good Friday.

Let’s go. Three more weeks. Game on!

Fr. John Cusick