Kobe
“It is like a mustard seed”
So, we lost Kobe last weekend. Even strangers to the NBA know Kobe Bryant, a true legend of basketball and the undisputed hero of the LA Lakers. There’s no doubt his loss (at 41 years old) and the loss of his daughter, Gianna (13), is tragic, and I think we all feel like these two lives were taken much too soon. In fact, it feels like all nine lives were taken too much too soon.
Now, I’m not saying Kobe was a saint, but I’m happy to highlight any man that talks about his Catholic faith in a GQ interview. Despite Kobe’s failings - he is truly an awesome example of how one life can touch so many. His life carried gravitas - it carried power - just like the mustard seed into today’s Gospel. Sisters, our lives carry the same power.
We are each a mustard seed because Jesus is alive in us.
Jesus is alive in all of us. And when Jesus lives within us, we become like little Kingdoms. When we sow our lives into Kingdom soil, when we give ourselves and our gifts to God, we can take root. We start to grow, and we can become like trees putting forth large branches and providing a haven for those around us. And as we grow larger, so does our impact. We are able to give back and serve others more robustly.
And that’s what happened with Kobe. He invested in the gifts that God had given him, became truly great, and paid it forward. Like I said, Kobe wasn’t perfect, but he made a massive impact on generations of basketball fans. And despite the scandal(s) in his past, it truly seems like he was striving to live a good life by fighting for his marriage, loving on his kids, coaching his daughter’s basketball team, and speaking about the love and mercy he found in the heart of a priest - that’s a pretty decent witness.
Kobe started as a mustard seed, as we all do, and grew into a massive tree within our culture. I pray that we would all be able to do that - to invest in our gifts, to live greatly, and to turn all the glory back to God. Could he have used his platform for God more often? Probably. But, let’s leave that between him and the Almighty so we can rejoice in a life well-lived. Thanks for the memories, Kobe. You’ll be greatly missed.
Father,
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
+Kobe Bryant+
+Gigi (Gianna) Bryant+
+John Altobelli+
+Keri Altobelli+
+Alyssa Altobelli+
+Sarah Chester+
+Payton Chester+
+Christina Mauser+
+Ara Zobayan+