Tuesday of Holy Week

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Over the last year, I have developed a strong affinity for C.C. Filson Company, an outfitter based in Seattle, WA. They sell clothing and equipment to last a lifetime. Their motto is "Unfailing Goods," and they have been around since 1897. Filson is similar to Orvis and L.L.Bean – they sell goods for the outdoors: expensive, yet very high quality. These products are built to last and have been trusted by ranchers, fishermen, loggers, and adventurers for 125 years. Their website communicates that Filson is "a company founded on equipping folks headed into the frozen desolation of the Klondike goldfields in 1897."

Filson's marketing is all about the theme of dependability and trustworthiness: built for every kind of weather, no matter how extreme the conditions. I receive emails from them quite often, and I've compiled some of their subject lines below:

Your next journey starts with the proper gear. - We've got all you'll need.

Adapt to volatile weather

Centuries worn, now by you: - Our gear stands the test of time.

All-Season Essential Layers

Hardy souls need hardy gear

Staples for Every Excursion

Equip yourself for any journey.

Wear. Work. Repeat.

Because dependability matters

Because the weather never sleeps.

Layer Up Right

The vital first layer

Tried and True Performers

BUILT TO HANDLE FOUL WEATHER AROUND THE GLOBE

There's a reason so many have trusted our unfailing goods for over 120 years - stock up

Prepare to Explore

Gear for Your Next Excursion

Worked then, works now

Goods you can Trust - Because Dependability Matters

Highest quality supplies inside.

Time and Journey Tested

ABSOLUTE DEPENDABILITY

Filson has dependable, trustworthy clothing and equipment for practically any outdoor adventure. In a similar way, I see God's Word as an outfitter with all of the unfailing goods that we need so that we can trust Jesus Christ and be on mission for the advancement of His kingdom. Each one of God's promises is like another layer: a jacket, a hat, boots, socks, backpacks, pants, blankets, gloves, belts, knives, axes, rain gear, fishing vests, shooting vests – whatever you need for your mission. These items allow the wearer to withstand any conditions and complete their mission. Each item can be likened to one of God's promises: God is trustworthy (Hebrews 10:19-25), God will strengthen us and help us (Isaiah 41:8-10), God will give us wisdom (James1:5), God is always good (Psalm 119:68), God's love is unfailing (Isaiah 54:10), God has work for us to do (Ephesians 2:10), and more! Just google "God’s promises" and see the excellent selection, always in stock…and free! All of this makes me think of Psalm 1 which describes the person who is equipping oneself with God's word, meditating on it day and night – they will be like a tree planted by a quiet stream, bearing fruit in every season. That is the mission: fruit. We are here to bear fruit, and the only way we can is if we cloth ourselves with these promises. Putting on more layers is like sending our roots deeper into the soil of God's kingdom where we can take in more nutrients, be anchored more firmly, and, therefore, bear more fruit (John 15).

Now, I suppose the question becomes: If we clothe ourselves with these promises each day (with Jesus Christ; see Romans 13:11-14 and Galatians 3:27), will we embrace the chance to be ambassadors for the dependability and trustworthiness that we find in Christ, or will we keep it to ourselves? Or – perhaps better – will we "sing of [God's] salvation" like the psalmist in today's Responsorial Psalm, or will we deny it like Peter in today's Gospel reading?

With Filson, its pretty easy. I like the brand, my clothes fit well, they are warm, et cetera – it's easy to tell people about it and recommend it. There isn’t much controversy to be found. However, with God’s Promises, Inc. – if you will – it can be more difficult. It is difficult to make truth claims in our society, but is it not worth a try if we truly believe God’s promises are the truth which will set people free? I think so, but I’m not necessarily advocating for us all to start preaching on street corners. That can be effective, but let’s turn our focus back to the fruit. Our ambassadorship begins with clothing and rooting ourselves in God’s promises. As we layer up more and more, and as we get rooted deeper and deeper in the soil of God’s kingdom, we will be able to have a firm stance amidst greater and greater circumstances. We will be able to move forward step by step when we can't see what's ahead. We will be able to rely on God when nothing else makes sense, showing that we are ultimately governed by God’s promises, not the world. When we live by God's dependable, trustworthy promises, we will have a story of triumph – of resurrection – and these stories are the songs we sing when we "sing of [God's] salvation" like the psalmist.

So, next time you find yourself on a treacherous path or in a powerful storm, stop in at God's Promises, Inc. and get the unfailing truth you need to keep going. And when you find yourself safe on the other side, you can tell your story – you can sing it loud, praising God for what He did as you trusted in Him. This is ambassadorship.

[I recommend Psalm 18 as a great example of what I’ve written above. Verse 30 stands out: God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection: God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.]

I offer this prayer in closing:

Father, as You intentionally place me in various circumstances throughout my life, help me to be clothed and rooted in Your unfailing promises so that I can show the world that You are a better foundation than anything else. Let your surpassing, unseen reality be visible and evident by my life as I trust in You. Give me a song to sing that gives people more cause to trust in You and be sure to give them a song, too, so that we can praise and glorify You together with profound joy forevermore.
In Jesus' name – amen.

Timothy Nagy

Assistant Director

Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue

St. Francis College