Legends

Legend or legendary

These are the words that sum up the readings for today.

Legend is from the latin that simply means "things to be read." There is a legend on a map that helps us read the map and follow it. When we apply the word to people we are saying that the lives they love are suppose to help us read and examine lives and learn how to live.


These are people who took risks, healthy risks, steeped out and were willing to break new ground and open new horizons. They endured difficulties and tribulations but persevered.

We use the term loosely.

Often times we hear the term associated with athletes, legends of the game. These are guys who excelled through failure and setbacks with great determination. They opened new horizons for their sport. It wasn't that they had one great game but rather their career was stellar.

The likes of Michael Jordan, magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson changed the way the game was played. Or you could mention the likes of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Eric Dickerson or Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, BEn HOgan or Muhammed ALi or Sugar Ray leonard. These are legends of the game. They are the standard, the guide, the means of motivation.

The list is longer of course.

There are legends in all aspect of society. The legends of Rock 'n Roll, the legends of Country Music and the likes.

What makes legends is that they were consistent.

The difference between Heroes and legends is important. Heroes are defined by moments of decisions. They rise to the occasion in time of difficulty or danger and take a stand, often giving their life. This is a special kind of courage.

Legends are those who invest their life. Longevity is the key. Their entire life is caught up, not just one moment.

To be great in one moment is no big feat, but to be consistently good, now that is legendary in deed.

As we look to Chapter 11 of the Letter of Hebrews, If i had to give a title, I would call it, The legends of Faith, legendary faithfulness. Chapter 11 contains a list of those who are known for taking risks, stepping out, breaking new ground in the life of faith and faithfulness.

St. Paul invites us to read their lives, examine and be motivated to do as they did. They were consistent throughout various circumstances and thus give us an example to follow. In fact he describes them as those who "died in faith" and those who "Gd was not ashamed to be called their God."

What a description.

Wouldn't that be great on an epitaph, written on the tombstone, "Died in faith: God is not ashamed to be called his God." THese are the things that true legends are made of. If The Old Testament figures could do what they did, and not know where God was taking them, how much more should we have the courage who know where we are headed.

For in Christ the end is made clear. We see in him, the end of our journey.

The word of JEsus ring true, "do not be afraid little ones, the Father is please to give you Kingdom. Go sell all you have and give alms...treasure in heaven awaits."

This is what motivate us to let nothing stand in our way. Do we want what the Father wants to give.

Then our life must show forth our hunger for that reality. Here we discover the legend in us all.