2635AFC082826 – Go For Best!

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Psalm 63:3-4 –
³ Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
⁴ So I will bless you as long as I live;
    I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

Romans 12:1-2 – ¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual ^{i} worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed ^{ii} by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. ^{iii}

^{i} logikēn from log-ik-os' → reasonable logical because it will be divinely reasonable, i.e. "what is logical to God" logic working through the divine reasoning known through faith

^{ii} metamorphousthe from met-am-or-fo'-o metamorphosis → changing form in keeping with inner reality" – properly, transformed after being with; transfigured. I would say “Utterly Changed.”

^{iii} Good is good. Would “acceptable” be better? And could “perfect” be Best? IF Can that which is “Best” ever be improved and made “Better-than-Best?”

Jeremiah 20:9 –
⁹ But when I say, “I will forget the Lord
    and no longer speak in his name,”
then your message is like a fire
    burning deep within me.
I try my best to hold it in,
    but can no longer keep it back.

Matthew 16:24-27  (GNT) [1] – ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. ²⁶ Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life. ²⁷ For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in Truth and Love. In sports, show business, talent shows, anything that requires putting your “whole heart and soul into, and leave it all on the field” – or the stage, or the page, or whatever arena we’re battling in, we’ve got to give it our all, do our best, exhaust every capability … then comeback next time and to just as well, or preferably, better.

How brilliant our lives would be if we stopped satisficing for whatever is Good, and instead pursued that which is Better. Once we have reached what is Better, we are most open to understanding what is Best in God's eyes. Whatever God makes is Good, and to those who acknowledge that Goodness, he grants the Wisdom to understand and embrace whatever is Best. Everything is Good in its own season, and whatever is Good gets Better when we pursue and attain it. Then we understand that whatever is Better might also BE Best or reveal what IS Best. Thus, we behold God's handiwork with awe and reverence. This is how he reveals his Glory. Therefore, Belovéd, LIVE LIKE THE CHILD OF GOD YOU ARE REDEEMED TO BE. Go for Best!!

The 442^nd RCT

The syntax on that title seems to be a little off, but let me tell you what inspired it. It’s based on the motto for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and "Go for Broke" was their famous motto which described how dedicated they were to achieving their assigned orders, regardless of the cost. “Go For Broke” is a phrase that originated as a local gambling and craps slang (Pidgin) in Hawaiʻi during the 1930’s and 1940’s. It meant you were “all in” and willing to risk everything on a single all-or-nothing bet. The 442^nd was the most decorated unit for its size in the entire history of the U. S. Army. They fought with such determination and courage that even the German soldiers and officers respected – and feared – them. One of their most famous, costly, and successful endeavors involved “The Lost Battalion,” members of the 1st Battalion of the 141^st Texas Regiment. It’s estimated about 275 men in the 141^st were trapped and surrounded by German troops. Despite taking many casualties over the 5-day siege while trying to battle uphill against a 4-to-1 resistance, the 442^nd eventually broke through enemy lines and led the surviving 211 men out to safety. They succeeded because they were determined to Go For Broke!

It is reported that they experienced over 800 casualties during that encounter with the enemy. Despite that, there were questions raised about the battle. The rescue raised the question of whether the Nisei (Japanese Citizens of the United States) soldiers were being used as "cannon fodder," or whether they were given the most difficult assignments because of their outstanding performance. You can learn more here and here. The 442^nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) earned over 18,000 individual decorations and awards during World War II. They were brave. They were united. They were dedicated to putting it all on the line for the United States of America – despite the fact that many of their friends and relatives were rounded up and put in internment camps all across the country. I’d say they had two core values: Stick Together and Never Quit. Senator Daniel Inouye – long-time Senator for the State of Hawaiʻi – was in the 442^nd, and in the battle near San Terenzo, Italy he was severely wounded while leading a charge against a heavily-defended position. He was hit in the arm by a rifle-grenade, but still managed to chuck a hand-grenade into the enemy bunker and blow it up. His right arm had to be amputated. There is more information about this American Hero here, here, and here. Take a little time to look into this man’s history as an American soldier.

There’s a really important war going on today.

Let’s start pulling this together. We know we are in a war against powers of evil that are still being subdued in Heaven and on Earth. (See Ephesians 6:12-17) The Apostle Paul speaks of principalities and powers of darkness in Heaven in this evil age. In biblical terms, principalities refer to high-ranking spiritual authorities or rulers within a cosmic hierarchy, often associated with demonic forces or fallen angels that influence nations, territories, and human affairs. The same sphere that houses Christ’s throne also hosts rebellious powers now being subdued. The believer’s armor is therefore spiritual, supplied by the reigning Christ, and victory is assured though conflict remains real. (← some "AI" assistance)

The Psalmist says, “God's Love is better than life.” (← Music Link)  That’s a pretty big deal! Being dead is not an option most people would choose, whereas being alive is; and our God’s Love is better even than being alive. In this battle with evil, we will sometimes be wounded, frightened, fight hard and gain little – and that’s “just” to stay alive by defeating the enemy. God's Love is better than winning all those battles! God's Love is what keeps us from being overcome by the enemy, and saves us when we are taken as Prisoners of War in that dark and terrible conflict. As The Psalmist says, PRAISE THE Lord FOR THAT!

A Transforming Life

In this battle, there are no “conscientious objectors.” We are either soldiers fighting in the King’s Army, or sinners dying in the enemy’s camps as collaborators with the enemy. Romans 6:23 (GNT) – ²³ For sin pays its wage – death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord. God's Love is better than Life, and life is certainly better than dying in captivity. The Apostle Paul tells us to present our bodies as living sacrifices – to avoid the sins of the flesh and to live in the Life of the Holy Spirit. THAT’S the nature of the battle – to fight against our sinful human nature so as to preserve our awareness of the Will of God – so that we should experience always and in all ways the Love of God which is better than Life. He says straight out, “be transformed.” That doesn’t mean, “change your mind and do a 180” as in metanoia. He means we must change our brains, change our bodies, change our way of living in this World so that we are living in the Victory of Jesus (← Music Link) instead of dying in the bondage of sin. That means we never forget that our bodies are created to be a Temple for the Holy Spirit. Piece of pie, right? NO! IMPOSSIBLE! Without the transforming sacrifice of our entire concupiscence, we’re basically sitting ducks for every demon in the neighborhood.

It’s easy to lose the battle that loses the War

Every one of us knows what it’s like to have those good intentions of staying in the battle being suddenly shattered when we “give in to temptation.” Those are the times when we forget – again. God will always take the initiative to help us get back in the fight. In fact, if we do manage to make that metamorphosis in Romans 12:2, we will find that we can Live and Love like Jeremiah – God's Love sets a fire (← Music Link) in our hearts, gets down into our bones, and we cannot stay out of the fight! Like those extraordinary soldiers in the 442^nd, we pursue the enemy without relenting, and not only survive, but prevail. Without that metamorphosis, however, we are overcome and die not only at enemy hands, but also in enemy hands. This is where we are again reminded of CCC 1021-1022 (← Click Link)  – The Particular Judgment. The instant we die, we get everything we’ve asked for as revealed in our actions – Eternal Life or Eternal Damnation. Like the 442^nd, we’ve got to go for the ultimate – GO FOR BEST. It’s the only way to make sure our YOLO-F turns out to be happy.

Take up your Cross and follow me.

At this point in our lives, many of us realize that Living a Christian Life is mostly counterintuitive. From the World’s Point-Of-View, nothing we say or do makes sense. That’s actually how it’s supposed to work. Let's look at what the Apostle Paul might have meant in instructing us not to be conformed to this world. That's really pretty easily understood in the general context of being a Christian. A careful reading of John 17:14-19 gives us the background for the oft-quoted (but "not-in-the-Bible") phrase, Be in the World, but not of the World. Jesus is telling his Father that he's sending his Disciples into the world but they are not going to belong to the world because Jesus does not belong to the world; Jesus and his Disciples belong to the Kingdom. Jesus asked that they be protected from the Evil One as they do the work of the Kingdom.

The Apostle Paul is talking about changing our bodies from vessels of carnality to consecrated offerings of service to God; that’s a tall order in these days of instant gratification for just about anything and everything imaginable (and thankfully some of it is unimaginable!) Jesus certainly gave us the benefit of his wisdom when he said, “Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.” Nor can we ourselves redeem our lives. With all of that evil surrounding us, pummeling us constantly with the temptations to yield our bodies and minds over to the Enemy, how do we GO FOR BEST in our day-to-day battles against the darkness of this present age?

Do Not Forget To Do The Right Thing

I'd like to suggest a simple, two-part strategy based on two core values essential to Christian Life. Do Not Forget and Do The Right Thing. These core values must be applied in two essential relationships – first, with God, and second, with neighbors. In our relationship with God we must remember to be reverent and obedient. In our relationships with neighbors, we must remember to be kind and forgiving (“as we forgive our debtors”). This week, people all around the World are sharing fond memories about a person all of us knew in some way, a person who certainly showed the World what it was like to be reverent, obedient, kind, and forgiving. I refer to a truly remarkable human being who was not afraid to Go For Broke as well as to Go For Best – Dolly Parton. At our tiny little Catholic school, we have scores of books in the library that are stamped “Donated by Dolly Parton.” Crucita states she has been a fan since Dolly first came on the scene sometime during the 50’s. May she rest in The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.

That’s what we receive for Remembering to do The Right Things. What do we receive if we forget, and do the wrong things? 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – ⁹ Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, ¹⁰ thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers – none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. Instead, wrongdoers inherit the Kingdom of Death, the Wage of Sin. That’s on them. Because why? Because God's justice does not die, it is Immutable.

God Did Not Create Death

Wisdom 1:12-16 (GNT) – ¹² Do not bring on your own death by sinful actions. ¹³ God did not invent death, and when living creatures die, it gives him no pleasure. ¹⁴ He created everything so that it might continue to exist, and everything he created is wholesome and good. There is no deadly poison in them. No, death does not rule this world, ¹⁵ for God's justice does not die.
¹⁶ Ungodly people have brought death on themselves by the things they have said and done. They yearn for death as if it were a lover. They have gone into partnership with death, and it is just what they deserve. Because as Jesus himself said, then he will reward each one according to his deeds.

Adelphoi, GO FOR BEST! The more we pursue it, the better it gets! With God, it’s not a gamble or a risk. (Check out 2 Timothy 2:11-13 if you want to see why!)

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!
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Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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