The Victory Zone

by Bishop Joseph McKinney

In this providential time of the Year of the Great Jubilee, whether we are a saint like Mary, the mother of Jesus, or a sinner like the prodigal son, Jesus draws a similar picture for the final homecoming. For the one it is "Come share your master’s joy" and the other it is "We had to celebrate for my son who was dead has returned to life." Both suffer and both experience the victory of a resurrection.

Enter above for books, cd's, & more... Purchases here support The Friends of the Good News*

We read in Scripture that God did not deprive His Son or His Son's mother of the blessing of suffering. We also see that they were both destined for the Resurrection Victory. Resurrection Victory is hidden in each trial if we can respond with "Amen" openness to the gift of God's grace of endurance.
God is just and merciful at the same time. Everyone experience a measure of suffering. Some of us more than others, but what God does through suffering is a miracle of Grace. I like the verse in the hymn, Breathe on Me: "My Soul with grace refine until this earthly part of me glows with your fire divine." Our sufferings and trials are precious from the point of view of sharing in the Resurrection gift with Jesus.

The Victory Zone is an immense blessing of Resurrection Peace if we have accepted the gift of steadfast endurance.

When Mary said "Amen" to God's call at the Annunciation, one wonders if she knew what it would entail. I always picture Mary as repeating her "Amen" several times each day as the question keeps popping up, "How can this be?" The reply is always the same, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, for nothing is impossible with God".

Like most of us, I am always deeply moved when I see someone embrace their cross with confidence and trust that in the end they will overcome whatever misfortune befell them. They are God's great ones. Many do it with such confidence and trust that they inspire us as they endure with joy. They are the ones who attract me the most.

Someone may ask, "Where do they get the gift of joyful resignation?" The answer is always the same; "It's from the Lord!" God's wondrous grace is at work. They are in the Victory Zone and the outcome will be God's greatest gift--sharing in the Resurrection.

In my own family, I see my brother deal with paralysis on a daily basis. It tears one's heart to see him so powerless. Yet, that remarkable attitude of joyful endurance glows within him. There is always a sense of humor, gratitude for all that help him, and a readiness to put forth major effort each day. When I ask him where he gets it from, his answer is always the same, "Prayer." It is the, Father, your will be done prayer--the prayer of Mary.

As Christians, we must somehow live every moment of life as preparation for what is to come when we meet the Lord. If we lived in the Victory Zone when we deal with hardship, then we are destined for the ultimate joy--the Victory of the Resurrection--eternal life. Then like Mary and the Prodigal Son, we too will behold Jesus, with arms outstretched, eyes sparkling with love for us, and saying those spectacular words of His recorded in Mathew's Gospel, "Come, share your master's joy." What a homecoming! What a victory!

Bishop Joseph C. McKinney, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, has served as a teacher, pastor, spiritual director, assistant chancellor and vicar general. A popular speaker at our 1999 Holy Spirit Conference, he is the former Chairman of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal!