FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Last week was a big “football” week. The football season ended as the Philadelphia Eagles absolutely dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Another great football story came to an end, though. It didn’t draw as many fans or viewers. Yet, the outcome of that story had far greater consequences than lifting the Super Bowls Lombardi Trophy. I’m speaking, of course, of the great life and death 102-year-old Virginia Halas McCaskey.

Virginia McCaskey lived a life far more enmeshed in sport than any of us could ever expect in our lives. Mrs. McCaskey also realized that the greatest battle in the life of a person doesn’t take place on a football field, a baseball diamond, or a basketball court. The greatest battle in the life of each person takes place between Heaven and hell. And the battle is for our soul. There is a great battle between good and evil for each and every soul.

We live in a world that has seemingly forgotten the First Commandment: “I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:2- 3). Many more self-proclaimed Catholics watch football on Sunday than worship Jesus Christ at Mass. I can assure you Jesus Christ will get you to Heaven, the NFL will not. Athletics has become a “god.” Power or prestige have become a “god.” Money has become a “god.” Many find themselves wrapped up in things of this world. They strive for and worship all sorts of false idols. And they ignore God and the things of Heaven that will save our soul.

This is a direct contradiction to what God asks of us. And yet, those who have created their own “gods” still expect to go to Heaven. If someone has chosen to ignore God their whole life, why would they even want to spend eternity with God in Heaven? It’s a contradiction.

Heaven is very real. Hell is real, too. One of the first lessons we learn as children is that our actions have consequences. Well, the same is true on earth as it is for eternity. In a parable, Jesus told us of the consequences of those who ignore Him. They will hear God say “depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Clearly, not words any of us would like to hear.

Virginia McCaskey understood that the outcome of life has far greater consequences than the outcome of any game. She attended Mass daily. She prayed daily. She gave to the Church to provide for the poor. She frequented the sacrament of Confession. She chose Heaven, and she strove for it.

Heaven is a choice. So too is Hell. In ignoring God and His Commandments, many are choosing Hell. No one is forced into Hell. Many freely make the choice. I pray with all my heart that Hell is empty. But, I’m not so sure. There are far too many people that deliberately ignore or mock God and His Church on Earth. Let us pray for them to turn away from that bad choice.

We may not be popular with others when we caution against the decision to ignore God in our lives. We’re even less popular when we warn that the bad decisions of others will have dire consequences for their soul. In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us that persecution on account of our love for Him is a blessing. For our sake, and for the sake of our friends and family, let’s encourage those around us to take courage and fight the good fight. Let us take a page out of the playbook of Mrs. Virginia McCaskey — a good, selfless, and faith-filled woman — and realize that the outcome of our soul is far more important than any worldly accolade or glory.

Pope Francis tells us, “For this spiritual combat, we can count on the powerful weapons that the Lord has given us: faith-filled prayer, meditation on the word of God, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, sacramental Reconciliation.” Let’s pray daily. Let’s read Scripture daily. Let’s go to Mass. Let’s go to Adoration. Let’s frequent Confession. Let’s win the battle. Let’s become saints!

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Ryan P. Brady
Pastor of St. Christina Parish