August 24, 2025: Hitting the Hole

HITTING THE HOLE

I enjoy watching football at every level. I’m heading to the Gophers’ opening game this Thursday, and I’ll be at the Vikings’ home opener too. I try to make it to as many of our local high school games as possible.

So today, I’d like to invite a few kids up here to help me demonstrate something. [Invite kids up and line them up as an offensive line] Okay—now I need one of you to be the halfback. The play is simple: the offensive line will create a path, or an opening, for the running back to charge through. In football terms, we call it “creating a hole.” And the running back’s job? Hit that hole—with speed, with purpose, and with no hesitation. Teams practice this over and over again because it takes precision and timing. The opportunity doesn’t last long—when the opening appears, you’ve got to take it.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about entering through the “narrow gate.” That’s kind of like finding the perfect hole on the field—it’s not easy, and it doesn’t stay open forever. It takes practice. It takes readiness. But when that moment comes—when that narrow gate opens—you’ve got to respond.

Often, those moments come during life’s extremes—deep loss or deep love. Those are the moments we finally pay attention. When we’re open to growing, to changing, to becoming better. Take someone who receives tough news—like a cancer diagnosis. Some people, despite the fear and hardship, say it changed their lives for the better. They began to live differently. They appreciated life more. They became more grateful, more loving, less caught up in material things. They saw the hole—and they ran through it.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns us that some people think they’re doing everything right—but when they knock at the door, the Master says, “I don’t know you.” That’s a wake-up call. Maybe it’s time for all of us to ask: Are we paying attention to the opportunities God gives us? Are we “hitting the hole” when He clears a path for us?

But let’s flip the analogy for a moment. What if you’re not the running back, but the offensive line? What if your role is to create openings—for someone else? To clear a path so someone else can succeed?

That brings us to the end of Mass today—when we’ll be blessing backpacks and carrying cases for all students, teachers, and staff as we start a new school year. Yes, we’re blessing the backpacks—but really, we’re blessing the people who carry them. So I want you to think about your backpack as more than just something filled with books and supplies. What are you carrying into this year to make it successful—not just for yourself, but for others?

[Hold up backpack and take out items one by one] Maybe this year, you could carry . . . 

-jar of kindness—making a conscious effort to be gentler, more compassionate toward your classmates. Try saving “thank you” and “please” more often. 

-package of patience—things won’t always go your way. Take some deep breaths. Be more patient. This is especially for those attending Zimmerman schools, where construction might test everyone’s nerves. But patience will be important for all of us, especially when things don’t go our way.

-container of cheerfulness? Smile more. Thank others. Affirm people. Sure, the start of school is always an adjustment. But if you can’t change the situation—change your attitude. If you go into the year thinking it will be negatve, you are right . . . it will be negative. But try looking ahead and asking, “I wonder what wonderful surprises, God, you have in store for me. 

Hall of Fame football coach Lou Holtz (who coached at the UM for a bit) once said: “I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.” That’s a pretty good game plan—for football, for the school year, and for life.