The Field of Dreams
One of my favorite movies of all time is “The Field of Dreams.” It is a story of a man named Ray who hears a voice as he is walking through his cornfield that says, “If you build it, he will come.” Ray decides to listen to the voice and builds a baseball field in the middle of Iowa and the adventure begins. In the movie he begins a journey that leads him to reconcile with his father and rediscover how we can never let anger get in the way of our dreams.
This past week I received an invitation to watch this great movie with my family at Chase Field. I watched my children, and their friends experience this great movie and truly be filled with emotions by the story. On the way home, we talked about the movie and how it can apply to their lives. We talked about their dreams; hopes and the gift of the listening. I was amazed at the deep insight they received from such a classic movie.
This modern-day movie has a great spiritual overtone for all of us to reflect on. Do we listen to the voice of God? Our Lord tells us that we to walk in his ways. The only way that we can do that is to listen. He has challenged us to build forth his Kingdom. The voice says, “If you build it, he will come.” We are invited to build time in our life with the Lord. To spend time listening and reflecting of how we are called to live our lives. God might not ask us to build a baseball field, but instead challenge us to build up our family. We will be asked to forgive a friend or give something of ourselves to make someone’s life better.
In the movie, we hear a voice that says, “ease his pain.” We are called to be healers of this world. As baptized Christians, we are asked to share his mercy and love. To me, that means we are quick to forgive and do our best to affirm and build people up. This world needs healing, and it is up to all of us to be vessels of God’s healing love to all.
The movie ends with a son having a catch with his father and wondering if this is what heaven feels like. Through that father and son catch, they built up the kingdom of God. I pray that I always have the courage to listen to the voice of God and have the courage to fulfill what is asked of me. I hope I can always do my part in bringing healing to this world and in the end experience the greatest gift of all; HEAVEN ITSELF. Remember, “If you build it, HE will come.”