Pastor's Notes

March is here and in Arizona that means one thing: Spring Training Baseball!!  Well, it means that to some of us...like me!  Sitting in the sun-drenched bleachers of Arizona's Cactus League watching the Nation's Pastime take place.....life doesn't get better than that!!

That is easy for a fan to say.  All we fans have to do is plunk down six bucks and have a seat in the lawn for a relaxing afternoon.  I wonder if it is so relaxing for the players? Many have their careers on the line. Others go through the motions secure in their position and concerned only about their performance once the real season begins.

I have noticed a difference in Spring Training over the years. Once, for players, it's purpose was to get in shape. Now with so much money on the line, players practice daily even throughout the offseason at home.  Spring Training is now about staying ready and prepared instead of getting ready and prepared. 

There is a lesson there for disciples.  We continue our journey through Lent. Lent can be a sort of "Spring Training" for disciples; a time of honing our spiritual life through practice of prayer and denial.  Easter comes.  New life is experienced!  It is always a privilege for me as a pastor to travel through Lent with a faith community.  It always touches me to be able to celebrate the Good News of the Resurrection with that same faith community.  I once had a bishop tell me that is what he missed most from parish life: the journey through Lent to Easter. I fully understand that.   Yet we need to remind ourselves that it is the job of the disciple to "stay in shape".  We need the gifts and tools of faith for the journey of life.  Others need our gifts and tools of faith for their journey through life.  The New Life which Easter brings is just that: NEW LIFE.  As such we are called to a new way of living.  We are called to work at staying in shape through worship, prayer, reading of scripture, sacrifice and works of mercy and love.

Unlike many baseball players, our jobs are not on the line.  The Christ of cross and empty tomb does more than bark orders or teach us fundamentals. When we pop up or boot a grounder our relationship with him is not in jeopardy.  He picks us up.  He leads us. He loves us. He is with us and cares for us. Play ball!  Play with all the gusto of those with New Life!