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Then [Jesus] took the Twelve
aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to
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Both
Red Polluck and the horse that he came to love, Seabiscuit, end up
“lame” in the final session of the movie. Calling
it
quits was certainly an option for both of them. But
neither did. Red was
determined to accomplish what he wanted. As
far as one can speak of determination in an animal, Seabiscuit seemed
to be determined to accomplish his goals. Perhaps
in the animal’s own way, he wanted to win in life as much as the
adults who trained him.
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One of the
classic examples of determination comes out of American political
history. This man was defeated for state legislature
in 1832; he failed in business the next year; he had a nervous
breakdown in
1836; he was defeated for House Speaker of his home State in 1838. In
1843, he was defeated in his nomination
for Congress, and although eventually elected to Congress, he lost the
re-nomination in 1848. He was defeated
for the United States Senate in 1854, defeated for nomination for Vice
President in 1856, again defeated for United States Senate in 1858,
and… was
finally elected President in 1860, arguably the best President the
nation of
the
In much the same way, hundreds of years before Lincoln, Jesus, Lincoln’s accepted guide in life, knew that he could offer something good to his country or his kingdom, as he called it. He knew also that he had to be in his country’s political center to do it, and further, he knew that he might have to suffer in order to carry it out. Yet, he was determined, willing to give totally of himself to bring about the good that he wanted, namely the redemption of humankind. So, with confidence he headed for Overcoming immense difficulties in order to accomplish something is a good in itself. In whatever way we understand such willpower, whether of animal or man, being determined is a lesson for Christians who are called to bring about good in their lives. The virtue of determination, that is, the virtue of persistently moving toward a good goal is necessary if we are to have a better world. |
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THOUGHT
What
are three or four goals that you have right now that you are determined
to carry
out?
PRAYER Good
and gracious God, your Son was determined to carry out his goal of
redemption
of humankind. We are grateful to you, our God,
for
giving us the chance to have eternal life. At the same time, we ask for
the grace to learn from your Son's determination. Be
with us, we
pray.
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©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |