What a Life!for January 31, 2007-February 7, 2007

I am sure most of my readers are disappointed that the Saints are not in the Super Bowl this weekend. We were all hoping that after “forty years in the desert,” this would be our year to enter the promised land. Despite the frigid lost to Chicago, the Saints did have a great season. Everyone played together as a team and they recognized each other’s talents.

The Saints also had excellent leadership and were well disciplined. Sean Payton shaped his team into a unit that played together. They eliminated costly mistakes and had a good game plan. They have many talented players and everyone shared the limelight. When one player was hurt, another player stepped up and filled the gap with the same enthusiasm. Their exciting games were fun to watch.

On a football team people play many different positions n guards, tackles, quarterback, tight ends, kickers, linebackers, to name a few. Some players, like the quarterback, seem more important than others. He has to be quick-thinking, have a good arm, leadership skills among other things. The quarterbacks in the Super Bowl will be well-known. However, not many people will recognize the names of the interior linemen who block for the quarterbacks and running backs.

Without good centers, guards, and tackles, the quarterback could not do anything. He would be flat on his back on every play. Quarterbacks and the running backs are only as good as their blockers. Of course, it works the other way, too. A team could not move the ball if all it could do is block. They have to have players who can run and throw and catch the ball, also. They all need each other if they are going to get anywhere.

Another important factor is team spirit. You cannot weigh or photograph spirit, but it is real. The group’s spirit is the atmosphere that relates different members to one another and makes the whole more than just the sum of its parts. It is spirit, that total relationship, which makes a group of people a family and not just individuals who live in the same house.

In chapter twelve of his First Letter to Corinthians, Paul talks about the importance of being a team. He used the image of a human body, but he could have used a football team comparison as well if he were living today. Paul explained that it is the Holy Spirit who brings people to faith in Christ in the first place and who determines the different abilities that Christians have. As a church, as the body of Christ, we must all use our gifts and talents to build up the body.

All organizationsnfootball teams, political parties, and the Christian churchnhave a spirit. The Christian church is special because its spirit is the Spirit of God. The Spirit along with the Father and the Son, the Holy Trinity, is also the spirit of the Christian community. It is that Spirit, sent forth by the Lord, who calls the church into being and keeps it alive.

It is also the Holy Spirit, that divine atmosphere, who gives different members different abilities to use for the good of all. Some teach, some sing, some pay the bills, some fix the air conditioners, some work with the youth, some help the liturgies become celebrations of life. We need everyone for the church to function as the church.

Because we are members of the Body of Christ, because we are not simply individuals, we can use our spiritual gifts generously and wisely for the common good of all. You are an important part of the team. You are a member of the Body of Christ! Never forget that!