The Impossible Pushup

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I got a new workout program for Christmas. One of the exercises is called The Impossible Push-up.  The trick is to push-up on two basketballs while my feet are on top of a beach ball.  I can get into the lower plank position but as soon as I start the push-up the beach ball under my feet starts to roll and I end up in a big heap on the floor.  I only attempt this move when nobody is looking.  I called my brother the other day and I was griping about it.  He is more knowledgeable about fitness than I am and he told me that I need all my muscles to do this exercise.  Some of my muscles are underdeveloped but supposedly when I am able to use all of my muscles I will then be able to do the impossible push-up.  I said, “Oh, that's how you do the impossible. You have to use everything you have."
                 
When I was young I was playing with my Tonka trucks. I made this highway with bridges and an elaborate road system.  There was a very large rock in the way and I wanted to move it.  I got out a shovel from the garage and dug around it. I got crow bar but I couldn’t budge the thing.  Dad came home from work and he asked me what I was doing.  I started to cry.  I can’t move this rock and I tried everything.  Dad said, “You didn’t try everything; you didn’t ask me.  So, Samson like, he bent down and gripped the rock and tore it out of the ground. “Where do you want it?”   If I knew he was that strong I would have eaten my spinach like he did.
                
Jesus had a long day.  He preached in a synagogue, cast out a demon, cured Peter’s mother- in- law and it was now time for well-deserved sleep.  Then somebody knocked at the door. Who could that be at this late hour?  It was the entire city.  Every one of them had an impossible situation.  “I have a demon that is torturing me and I can’t get rid of it."  "I have a bad back and I can’t work anymore."  "I can’t see."  If you or I asked anyone in that city about their day, every one of them would say.  He did the impossible…. 
               
My father had cancer.  The doctors got it all and he is fine now, but at the time my nerves were racked and the outcome was uncertain.  On the day of the surgery, I picked my father up at his home and we went to the hospital. He was in his hospital gown in the pre-op station when the nurse told us that the doctor was a half hour behind.  We used to the time to talk about fly-fishing and going out to a nice dinner after his discharge. Small talk.  Just before the nurse came to take my father away to surgery I wanted to reassure my father.  I told him that he did everything. "You are in the best hospital with a great surgeon.  You took care of your health all these years and you are in great physical shape."  Then dad said this, "Peter, it is no longer in my hands.  I am now in better hands." 
              
We need to remember the impossible push up. We have to use everything.  If we want to do the impossible, we have to use every resource and then leave it in His hands.