Church of the
Annunciation

Michelle Obama at the Democratic Convention spoke of her husband’s goodness. Paul Ryan during his debate with Vice President Joe Biden spoke of the goodness and generosity of Mitt Romney. I may be a minority but I believe in the basic goodness of men and women who run for office and serve our nation.  Why is it that we are inclined to impugn the integrity of a person we disagree with politically? In our Gospel a man runs up to Jesus, kneels down asking: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus bids him to keep the commandments. He takes pride in doing so since his youth. Looking at him with love, Jesus says that there is one thing missing: “Go sell what you have and give to the poor; (you’ll have treasure in heaven) then come follow me.” He leaves crestfallen for he had many possessions. How many of us would be able to give up all we possess and follow Jesus? Lance Armstrong lives under a cloud of suspicion that he used enhancing performance drugs to win the Tour de France. He denies it even with his teammates acknowledging that they did. One of the team was interviewed on Anderson Cooper. He confessed that when you tell the dishonesty long enough you start believing it. But once you come openly to admit the truth you begin to live in peace with yourself and experience forgiveness. If you are looking for a perfect athlete, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a perfect politician, you’ll be disillusioned. If you are searching for a perfect priest, I assure you, you will be frustrated. By all means there must be very high moral/ethical standards but persons in prominent positions are always flawed. We all make mistakes -- some are more public. Do we have the courage of the man in the Gospel who runs up and asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life? Can we pray for the wisdom to discern what is lacking, what we must do, what we have to let go of before we can pass through the narrow gate and enjoy eternal life?