Father Chris & I were
driving back from St. Denis
We were helping with
First Penance
He looked over – isn’t
that a sad sight – a golf course covered with snow! – you are making me so sad –
at this rate it will melt by May!
Crazy to see golfers
on TV – shirt sleeves – not fair.
One who is missing is
Tiger Woods – his game is a mess!
He has not won a
major in over 5 years ago – to the day when his wife chased him with a golf
club – and he drives into a fire hydrant.
Three months later –
he explained himself on TV
He said – “I had
worked hard my entire life – now it was time to enjoy the temptations around me.
I was entitled - And with money and fame, I did not have far
to go.”
1)
He said – I
didn’t think about who I was hurting – I just thought of myself.
Root of sin is a
selfishness – to think only of me – what do I want? Sin does not give thought to how it might
affect others, my marriage or priesthood, my work, how it affects children, how
it affects God.
2)
He said – I stopped
living core values – normal rules did not apply,
We would say – some
things are sinful and are always sinful, no matter who you are.
Understanding
boundaries and living by them.
To live a life of
integrity - Baptism – you are my beloved son – my
beloved daughter!
3) I remember he was surrounded by friends at
interview – frankly, where were they? What were they doing? Yes, Tiger had the
responsibility – but did anyone call him on this? He was on a destructive path. Were they
willing to lose job or friendship? Many would not – we call this enabling.
We are reminded then,
why Lent is so important – to go out into the desert and really look at things –
what we are doing, how we are acting, what we are saying – and how does this reflect
on us as children of God?
Some practical advice:
What settings are you in when
you fall? Avoid them.
What props do you have that
support your sin? Eliminate them.
What people are you usually
with? Avoid them.
There are two equally damning
lies Satan wants us to believe: 1) Just once won't hurt. 2) Now that you have
ruined your life, you are beyond God's use, and might as well enjoy sinning.
So is there hope for Tiger?
Jack Nicklaus says Tiger still has a chance to beat his record. More
importantly, Tiger still has a chance to do things right, to become the person
God wants him to be. We all have that chance! Repent and believe in the Gospel!
