Denver Catholic

14 APR-MAY 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC SAFETIES PROPHETS WHO DOES THE CHURCH DRAFT? The final position we'll be covering in this analogy is the safety position. Safeties are the last line of our defense. If a rusher gets past our line and linebackers, safeties need to be able to make tackles. If a ball is thrown deep, safeties are responsible for never allowing anyone to get behind them. Safeties also have a unique vantage point of the entire defense, which gives them perspective of the quar- terback and all his options. It allows them to communicate adjustments to the defensive secondary and linebackers. Prophets fulfill the safety position in the Church. They are many times the last line of defense. When the kingdom of Israel had been corrupted, the prophet Elijah remained to call the nation back to faith. When the papacy was in complete confusion, St. Catherine of Siena brought clarity and restored the Pope to Rome. Because their revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, they can see more than the think tanks and are generally more aware of the bigger plan of the opposing offense. While their primary respon- sibility is forecasting what comes and ensuring everyone is in the right position to defend the play, they also have the ability to make the tackles themselves, focus on a partic- ular threat in man coverage, or double team receivers that pose a strong threat. So, in light of these positions, which are the greatest needs of the Church right now? Putting aside for a moment that there is no draft for the Church, let's remind ourselves of a few general rules of drafting. Rule # 1: Quarterback is the most important position in all of sports. Our pastors will always hold an incredibly influential role in the productivity of the Church's offense and the leadership of the whole team. If you need one, you probably draft one if you have a high enough pick. Rule # 2: There are premium positions. Corners, pass rushers and left tackles along the offensive line will be key pieces to add to your team. The biggest position of need today could very well be our pass rushers, which are our families raising their children to live for Jesus. They say a team can never have enough pass rushers, and I don't think we can ever have enough faithful families. Rule # 3: You never really go wrong by choosing the best player available. If we're honest, our roster has some bright spots, but we face a ferocious opponent and could stand to get better at every position. When this is the state of your team, sometimes it's best to take the best player available. In light of rule number three, let us pray that the Lord sends laborers for his har- vest and with them quarterbacks that read defenses, linemen that blow opponents off the ball, shut-down corners, and ballhawk safeties. In the meantime, Lord, keep us from the idola- try of professional sports and help us to enjoy them as you see fit. May we score many points for the Kingdom of Heaven, and may Jesus be glorified in all that we do! 14

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