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See the Ball, Hit the Ball!

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See the Ball, Hit the Ball

The professional golfer was becoming upset and his frustration bordered on anger and depression, as his golf game continued to deteriorate; nothing he attempted to do to improve his game helped. Advice from fellow golfers varied from suggestions about specific techniques and fundamentals that he should practice to “go out and have a good drink.” Disconsolate and worried about his future, he began to think that his life as a professional golfer would soon come crashing to an end. Then one day he stumbled upon a derelict old man sleeping in the rough on one of the golf courses where he was practicing. Angered at being awakened so abruptly, the derelict yelled at the golfer as he pointed to the golfer’s ball, “See the ball, Hit the ball.” The command was obviously an attempt by the derelict to have the golfer quickly leave him alone so he could return to his sleep. Without hesitation the golfer hurried up to his ball and quickly struck it. As he walked after his ball, he realized that the shot he had just made was one of his best in some time. Then it hit him! He had been so concerned with all the details and techniques of the game that he had forgotten the most basic fundamental. See the ball, Hit the ball!  The golfer’s game began to improve almost immediately as he concentrated on seeing and hitting the ball.

A similar instance occurred with a baseball player, who was in a hitting slump. Having received all sorts of advice from coaches and friends, he was able to snap out of his slump only after a fellow teammate from another country suggested, in broken English, “See the ball, Hit the ball!”

Both the golfer and baseball player learned that, though there is value in learning and practicing certain fundamentals and techniques of the game, the most essential element cannot be overlooked or ignored. “See the ball, Hit the ball.” The same concentration on the basics is required in matters of religion. There is great value in the study of theology and philosophy so one can penetrate deeply into the understanding of God and man’s relationship to God. Unfortunately, individuals can enter into a slump of confusion and uncertainty as they forget to concentrate on the most important aspects of knowing and following God. One must be certain to concentrate on the essential elements of the religion.

For a Catholic, the “See the ball, Hit the ball” essentials can be summarized as follows.

  1. There is a God – a loving, personal god.
  2. Jesus Christ is the Son of God – Divine, yet human thus making all of us children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven.
  3. Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church and continues to nourish it.
  4. Jesus provided man with the means to know Him and the Father and to live according to His teachings. (The Church and the Sacraments)
  5. Love God and one’s neighbor.
  6. All humans are destined for an eternal life. The choices each human makes during his life on earth will determine the type of eternal life, heaven or hell, he will experience.

See the Ball. Hit the Ball.

The Bridge

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The Bridge

The three hikers, heavily laden with large backpacks, were exhausted and hungry after having walked through dense woods, thick sharp brush, and tundra-like conditions for days.  Worst of all, they were LOST! Their very survival depended upon quickly finding food and water, neither of which appeared to be in sight. As they sat down for a brief rest, one member of the group thought that he heard the sound of rushing water and decided, despite his fatigue, to trudge up a nearby slope to see if he could find any water. When he reached the top of the slope, tired and depressed, he gazed down the slope and immediately began to jump with joy….there was a river only a couple miles down the of slope. He shouted the good news to his colleagues and they eagerly stumbled up the slope to join him.

The sight of the running water in the river was a wonderful and encouraging sight to all of them. However, the journey to the river would be difficult as their way to the river was full of thick woods and brush filled terrain, which could house bears and other predators. Nonetheless, it was journey whose challenges they knew that they must face if they were to survive. Hoping to avoid any sight or contact with a bear, they peered watchfully to their left and right as they trudged and navigated their way to the river. Finally, the backpackers reached the river and eagerly drank its refreshing water. Now the challenge was to find food and help.

As they looked up and down the river for signs of human life, one of the backpackers recalled seeing a map which noted a bridge that led to a settlement a few miles on the other side of the river. Could safety be just a short distance on the other side of the river? Hoping to discover the bridge, one person walked down the river, while another trudged up the river; both hoping to find the bridge. The third person, ill and exhausted stayed in the middle, resting and watching over the group’s gear. An hour later, the one who gone up the river came running back, screaming joyously, “ I have found it! I have found the bridge!” When they all gathered together, he told them the bridge was only a mile or so beyond the bend in the river.

When they arrived at the bridge, they noticed that it was old, though the infrastructure appeared sound.  One hiker decided to test the bridge by carefully walking on it.  After crossing the river on the bridge and returning to his companions, he reported that the bridge was structurally very sound and had obviously been maintained over the years. However, there were a few planks in the bridge that required replacement and must be avoided if one was not to fall into the river with its fast flowing waters. They all knew that safety was indeed on the other side of the river and the bridge was their connection to safety, but care and attention were required to avoid the loose and ill-fitting planks in the bridge.

They carefully crossed the bridge, being alert for the loose planks, and made it to safety. Not long after crossing the bridge they found a village where they received food and transportation. The long difficult journey would end happily….at home among relatives and friends.

All of humanity seeks safety and security even as it occasionally seeks or thirsts for adventure; it is normal for mankind to seek a safe haven.  Home, family, and friends frequently engender feelings of safety and security that lead to happiness. Yet they cannot be the ultimate sources of safety and happiness. Only God can provide eternal safety and happiness. Just as the pack-packers, migrating their way through difficult terrain filled with predators, sought the bridge that would lead them to safety so also must mankind seek the spiritual bridge that provides the connection to God, the ultimate source of security and happiness.  Jesus Christ built the bridge that leads to man’s union with God. That bridge, constructed on the solid planks of His teachings and His promise to be with it until the end of time, is the Catholic faith. Yes , although the Catholic Church, similar to the bridge that the hikers had to cross to reach safety, also has internal planks that often can lead people astray into secular trends, other failings, and ultimately away from God , it remains the Church instituted by Jesus Christ with His assurance that He will be with it to the end of time. It is the Church which leads man to the ultimate truth – God.

The Catholic Church, despite its human failings, is Jesus Christ’s bridge to union with God – true safety and security – and the fullness of happiness.