By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“… so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Chapter Three: God’s Salvation: Law and Grace, paragraph 1949, it reads: “Called to beatitude but wounded by sin, man stands in need of salvation from God. Divine help comes to him in Christ through the law that guides him and the grace that sustains him: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
We have been season ticket holders at Ross-Ade Stadium to watch Purdue football with the same assigned seats since 1996. We are friends with fans who have kept their spots for years too. There are often seats assigned to fans of the opposing team, but this year we discovered several new season ticket holders in our area. We introduced ourselves at the first game, and they congratulated us for our years of faithfulness.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, we drove to West Lafayette, Indiana, to watch football. The Boilermakers were hosting the Irish from South Bend. The outcome was not what we hoped for, but we had a great time with family and friends who were Notre Dame fans. Before the game started, I lightheartedly announced to everyone that regardless of the outcome, at the end of the game, Jesus is still King of the Universe. This comment was acknowledged and may have changed the way I would spend my afternoon.
One of the new season ticket holders was a Purdue sophomore seated next to me. He struck up a conversation about faith in God during the second half of the game. He was interested in our family connection to Purdue, and our relationships with one another. He wanted advice for achieving success in education, and most important, how to live faithful to God in our culture. I was touched by his sincere and thoughtful questions. My purpose for sitting at Ross-Ade Stadium completely changed focus. His observance and openness renewed my hope for his generation.
Feel good about the country you love, and the people God created for you to share it with! The news and social media can create division among us, with less than honest information. But God created people to be inherently good, and we should never miss an opportunity to share good with others.
My advice to this young man was the same heartfelt words I shared with my children, and now my grandchildren. The purpose for your life is to serve God by caring for the people he puts in front of you. Make sure you have daily conversations with him to discern your vocation in life, and grace will sustain you! God is order and his plan is perfect. If your personal life is in order and the people around you are happy, you are successful. This young man recognized the love in our family relationships, which is something we all need! St. Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
Pray for the strengthening of marriage and family in our society. Look for good and the good will find you … be sincere and you will be prepared for the day of Christ! Amen!