Mike Tyson was arguably one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history. Tyson won his first 19 boxing matches. 12 of them by knockout. He was the youngest fighter to win the heavyweight boxing championship. Many opponents feared him due to his incredible power and ferocity. He was also one of only a handful of boxers to win the title, lose it then win it back.
But Tyson is also as well known for his exploits outside the ring and controversial behavior inside the ring. By the time Tyson was 13 years old he had been arrested 38 times. After holding the boxing title from 1987, Tyson lost the title to little known Buster Douglas in 1990. In 1992 he was arrested for rape and served 6 years in prison. In a 1997 comeback fight with Evander Holyfield Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear. He went bankrupt in 2003 He was convicted of drug possession and Driving Under the Influence in 2007. He has been married three times. In 2005 he called his life a failure and a waste.
In looking at Tyson’s life a critical event occurred when his mentor, Cus D’Amato passed away in 1985. D’Amato took Tyson under his care when he was 16 after Tyson’s Father had left the family and his Mother had died. Cus gave Tyson direction in his life and in boxing. After D’Amato’s death Tyson’s life began to unravel. The direction D’Amato gave him was gone and Tyson succumbed to the poor counsel of those who merely used him for their benefit.
In today’s first reading from 2nd Chronicles we read about King Joash of Judah. Joash became king of the southern kingdom of Judah at age 7. He had the guidance of Jehoiada, the high priest who led Joash to do what was right before the Lord. Including rebuilding the temple. However, when Jehoiada died, many princes of Judah came to Joash and convinced him to abandon the ways of his Fathers and to worship pagan Canaanite gods, including memorials to the fertility goddess, Asherah.
The prophet, Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, criticized Joash’s behavior communicating to him how he was living outside the will of the Lord. In the end Zechariah was stoned to death by the Judean princes. The Aramean army eventually destroyed Jerusalem, sent their spoils back to Damascus and Joash’s servants killed Joash. What began as a grace filled kingship turned into the death and destruction of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. As with Mike Tyson, the lack of direction and guidance led to a turning away from the narrow road that leads to salvation.
I often used an analogy with my children when they were little regarding reaching their destination in life and the role that we, as parents, played. Their journey should be viewed as if traveling down a winding road with guard rails on either side. The road allowed one to drift from side to side. To explore, if you will. But the guard rails were there to prevent you going over the edge and off the road. Allowing independence and freedom but preventing error that can lead to destruction. We all need that guidance and security. Mistakes can be helpful things. They allow learning. But without someone keeping you ultimately pointed in the right direction, those mistakes could derail your future and, ultimately, eternal life.
OK, one more analogy. I have to get in a motorcycle example. One of the hardest surfaces to ride on a motorcycle is sand. Most new riders panic in sand because it grabs you and tosses you side to side. A bit frightening. But an important technique to riding sand is to always look up and focus on the exit point. Where you are headed. And allow the bike to dance across the trail but keeping your eyes fixed on that spot in the distance. Good riders know that you always go where you are looking. And, magically, the motorcycle takes you to that spot that had your focus.
In our faith life, it is important that we stay fixed on the goal. Eternal life with the Father. We may stray along the journey but staying involved in Scripture, the Sacraments, small discussion groups and prayer can give us the spiritual guard rails that we need. My Mother always said you are the company you keep. Hang around with bad kids and that is where you will end up. Associate with those whose lives you admire for their faithfulness and that is likely the path you will follow.
