Where did the summer go? School is about to open. Football season is already starting. Life is very much like football: the close calls, the first downs, the injuries and pain.

Pain is an essential part of life. It tells us that something is wrong -- out of order. We may be able to compensate and mask the pain but if we completely ignore it, it will only worsen and result in more damage.

Today's gospel speaks to this reality. It continues from last week. Jesus said to Peter: "How blessed your are. You are like a rock. You will be the foundation of my church -- my first string quarterback. I know I can depend on you. Even the gates of hell will not beat you. Yet moment's later, Jesus' new team captain is called a Satan -- this rock -- this quarterback has become a stumbling block.

What brought this sudden drastic change of attitude? Had Peter fumbled a play? Worse, he was running a touchdown in the wrong direction. He was scoring for the other side.

Satan is cunning and quick. He is using Peter to try once again what he was unable to accomplish with his temptations in the desert. This cannot happen. You cannot go to the cross. Give up this mission and worship me. I will make you rich and famous. Again Jesus will not be tripped up. "Get behind me Satan, there is only one Lord and Him alone rill I serve."

Whose team do you want to play on? We all want to play on the winning team. But victory does not just happen. The greatest plays are never executed unless they are planned and practiced. You don't just go out and play football; but with daily discipline, patience, practice and pain. Does your life simply come and go every day or does it have order.

Listen again to the words of St. Paul: "Do not conform yourselves to this age. But be constantly transformed by renewing your minds and hearts to know what is God's will -- what is good -- what is pleasing -- what is perfect, that is the thrill of real victory.

Jesus speaking to his disciples and to us says: we must take up our cross and put order in our lives -- through the mystery of pain and sacrifice. It may be the sacrifice of prestige and popularity -- it may mean sitting on the bench for a while or it may mean coming off the bench and proving our worth.

Are we ready and willing to stand up for what say we believe is right? Or do we remain on the beach arguing with our self. I don't know if I can do it. Let somebody else do it. I don't want to talk religion or politics. It only causes problems.

Yes, it brings division even in families. It sets us sides just like a football game. Jesus asked: Who do you say that I am?

In the next few weeks we will have state primaries and elections. In many cases candidates run unopposed and have so for years providing no alternatives. But we have an opportunity and an obligation to elect those who stand up for moral victory, those who believe in God-given rights and justice -- candidates who demonstrate character in the face of ridicule and even defeat.

We have allowed candidates to sit term after term who have made themselves God and have no mercy for the little people they represent.

Tomorrow, Labor Day is the Feast of St. Joseph, the worker, the just man, model of justice and patron of laborers, patron of expecting fathers, patron of faithful priests, patron of a holy death, and patron of the universal church.

With St. Joseph as our example and guide, we ask his help to answer that question -- to decide whose team we really want to be on.

"For what does it profit...to gain the whole world...championship ring and all, but to lose one's life and soul in the process...