Saint Paul uses the metaphor of athletics to make the point that we should work harder on our virtue and sanctity than those who work very hard to win a trophy which is defined as “a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success.” People dedicate the better part of their lives to be awarded a green coat, a yellow jersey, a platter, a cup, a tray, a plate, a jug, a crown, a statue, a bronze, silver or gold medal. All are just objects that proudly end up on the bragging wall at home. They also get dusty and fade into the background of life over time.
It’s certainly not a bad thing to work hard and win, to know you are the best at something. Yet, St. Paul tells us that “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9: 25-27)
We should be struggling everyday to overcome our human nature, to conquer the evil that emanates from within our own hearts. Christ was kind enough to provide a list in the Gospel that was read last Wednesday; evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ( Mark 7:21-22)
I’d like to add a 21st century spin to the list above; sloth or acedia (not really caring about your salvation at all), using porn, drugs or drinking to deal with your woundedness or loneliness, fits of rage, overloading your schedule so you are too busy for God, your spouse, your children, your extended family or neighbors.
Starting to work on yourself, in the 21 century parlance, “personal development” is the first gate you must pass through on your path to holiness, to sanctity.
We can’t remain idle but need to work on ourselves continuously, (to pummel ourselves?) to be aware of the evil that comes out of us and to work hard to eliminate it. Otherwise, even after all your good deeds, donations to charity, your works of mercy both corporal and spiritual, you may be disqualified at the end of the race. Did you ever have the happen to you? It‘s an awful feeling thinking you’ve won only to be told that you didn’t.
Why is this message doubly important as a business leader? Your employees are watching how your actions and what you say matches up with your Catholic faith. Your employees are part of the vineyard of souls waiting to be won by Christ. So are your customers, your suppliers, the vendors or contractors you work with from day to day. You have an additional responsibility due to your position as a Catholic business owner, CEO, president or business leader to work daily in the vineyard of your workplace toward your sanctification and to allow others you interact with to know it. They need to know you are working on yourself, your character through the application of the virtues. They need to know through your actions and your interactions with others throughout the day that you are striving to attain sanctity.
