It happened on the first day of track practice.

That’s when the coach asked the freshman to run a quarter mile. Matt Stevens won – by a lot. In fact, during that first two weeks of track practice it became clear that Matt was the best one on the team - and had an amazing gift of speed and stamina that could take him far in track and field.

But when week three rolled around, Matt was nowhere to be found.

When I called him he told me he quit.  He said he was bored and would rather watch TV and drink milk shakes.

As the year went by, the talent on the team grew to be defined not so much because we were inherently faster than others – but because we showed up and worked the program.

More and more studies seem to show that giftedness and talent actually play a small role in one’s success when compared to the capacities to work hard, keep on task, and persevere.

In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples a parable that urges them to do the same - not to lose heart, to keep at it, to be relentless in their pursuits.

What do we feel like quitting today? In what ways do we need more perseverance?

If Jesus is calling us to do something, chances are he’s given us the perseverance to make it happen.