Half Time

Bob Buford wrote his book, Half Time in 1995. Its premise is that people live with two purposes in two halves of their life. In the first half they live in pursuit of success.  Money, fortune, and possessions are primary.  Whoever dies with the most toys wins, is the motto of the success-driven people in the first half of their lives.

In the second half our attention is drawn from success to significance.  Having achieved some model of success, and realizing that we are not made happy by the accumulation of stuff, or its pursuit.   We turn our focus and attention to significance—making a difference in the world, in our sphere of influence, or in our families.

If you find yourself searching for significance in the world, who is influencing how you see yourself.  How do you view the world around you—as sheep or wolves?  Or as something more nuanced—sheep, wolves, or sheep dogs?  If this is your world view, who are you?  Who is influencing what you are and how you see yourself?

Our gospel lesson today is mostly about identity—which Christians have struggled with throughout time. Is it any wonder we still struggle with “who we are?”  Wolf, sheep, or sheep dog?  The answer might depend largely upon how we answer the question not of “who we are” but “whose we are.”

Peace,
Father Mark+