Living Monstrance

Picture 40 little second graders running around outside at recess in a schoolyard.  Picture a basketball hoop.  Picture a basketball on the ground.  Who wants to take bets on whether any of the little ones can get that basketball through the hoop?  Good luck!

Now, picture a 36-yr-old former high-school basketball player and coach, now postulant Franciscan friar, standing in the middle of the children.

Are you thinking shooting drills and sprints? … No ….

“Who wants to be lifted up to the basketball hoop?”

A little one grabbed a basketball and literally ran to stand in front of me – and just wait.  I lifted her up as high as I could, and she took her best shot – and missed.  Suddenly, there were 40 children surrounding me, cheering wildly for each other and having so much fun while, one at a time, me and my no-longer-18-year-old back lifted each one up for a shot – that missed.  And no one cared that the shots missed!

Everyone had so much fun, and I tell you, I’ve never received so many hugs than I did that day during recess.

St. Therese of Liseux is a Doctor of the Church.  That means she is a great teacher of the Church’s doctrine, and her way of describing it is called her Little Way.  “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mk 10:14)  All these little ones get a perfect A in St. Therese’s school.

When God gives you something that seems impossible in life, remember that He is going to raise you up.  He’s not going to train you to do it yourself; He’s going to do it with you and He’s going to cover for you.  Just grab the ball and quickly run to Him – and wait.  You’ll have so much fun, you won’t care if you miss.  That’s the Little Way.