June 22, 2010
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
O God, within your temple we ponder your steadfast love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches the ends of the earth. Your right hand is fully victorious. Mount Zion is glad! The cities of Judah rejoice because of your saving deeds! (Psalm 49:10-12)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Piety
The path that you, the child of God, are to walk upon will at times seem to be very narrow and difficult. It will lead you into circumstances and relationships that will test your mettle and refine your spirit. The path you traverse leads to God and His will for your life. The roads that are glutted with bumper-to-bumper traffic lead only to the fast-fleeting pleasures and satisfactions of this world. Walk upon Christ’s paths and live by His words and deeds for your life – for they are, indeed, the will of God for you.
(From Jesus/Now, Leslie Brandt, Concordia Publishing, 1978, p. 72-73 )
Study
Jeff Bridges certainly deserved his Oscar for his intense, conflicted portrayal of Bad Blake in the movie Crazy Heart. This story is certainly one of conversion – perhaps not to the narrow road of Christianity; Bad’s use of Christ’s name was certainly never done in prayer. But his life was definitely of a man, with talent and passion, taking the broad, glittering road of life. He loved the big lights, the money and the acclaim more than he loved his gift of song writing, his friends and family and certainly his own health. He threw “what is holy,” his talents and his life, to the dogs of success, gluttony and sensual thrills. The success of others threatened him. When the going got tough, he lapsed into drinking and short-lived relationships.
His reformation began when he endangered someone he actually loved through his selfish, self-centered behavior. In the last scene we see a restored “Bad,” now owning his real first name, Otis because he no longer had to live up to that defiant nickname. He has learned humility and that sacrifice can bring healing. He gives away the coveted royalty check from his hit song saying, “It’s Only Money.” And he is able to celebrate the engagement to another man of a woman he loved. He has stepped out of himself to be joyful for another.
Action
Bad Blake’s narrow gate was opened to him through his sobriety; giving up the soporific effects of alcohol – a tremendous feat for a long time alcoholic. That step and consequent hard work on his life choices allowed him to find a new, insightful voice and restored his songwriting gift.
Is there a gate which is blocked to us, obstructing our walk with Christ? Are we a gate, blocking someone else’s path to Christ?
