The concluding unit for Sports and Spirituality is "Building a Culture of Encounter: Sports and Catholic Social Teaching." Given the recent passing of Pope Francis, his words on this topic are ever more poignant and meaningful. Like Pope John Paul II, not only was Pape Franceso a sport aficionado, he too embraced sport as a key pillar of the Catholic Church's social vision. I didn't need my car towed 30 miles from Walnut Creek to appreciate his teaching, but let's just say more than the Bay Bridge was crossed on a Sunday in May.
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Upon safe delivery and transport of my Jeep to my mechanic, I asked Siar if we could take a photo together |
While many Catholics take heart in knowing Pope Leo is a White Sox and Villanova fan, he is far from the first pope to share his allegiance. But according to our text, On the Eighth Day, "more than his predecessors, Pope John Paul II saw sport as one of the crucial signs of the times, a 'cultural mediator' uniquely 'capable of interpreting contemporary man's hopes and needs'. In addition, sports' global popularity gave it a special potential to help build a civilization of love..." More specifically, John Paul commended sport for transcending barriers of race, religion, politics and ethnicity. Pope Francis built on JPII's "civilization of love" with his own term: the "culture of encounter."
For the purpose of this blog, I have often quoted a definition given by Holy Cross priest, Father Joe Corpora, C.S.C. He has said “The culture of encounter... simply means this: 'You have something good to give to me, and I have something good to give to you." It's so simple and so true. If we could engage with another person believing we all have something to give and receive—a smile, a tip, a handshake or hug. Maybe we can hear a story or learn a lesson. How might the world be different?
The truth is that encounter has becoming increasingly more difficult. Many times we only see our differences, our perceived identity or interests. In light of these challenges, Francis sought to clarify the purpose of encounter. He wrote regularly about this—he spoke to specifics and modeled what it meant as it applies to sport. As written in "On the Eighth Day,"
A culture of encounter thus becomes a culture of contact rather than isolation, a culture of dialogue rather than monologue, and a culture of respecting difference and listening, even the face of firmly held commitments. In Francis‘s words, "to speak of a culture of encounter means we as people should be passionate about meeting others seeking points of contact building bridges planning a project that includes everyone."
Francis holds that sport can play a critical role in fostering a culture encounter, as well as the church's overall evangelizing mission, crossing lines of race, sex, religion and ideology, the sporting fields can be a place of “unity and encounter among people."
The question his teaching raises for me, for my students and for you is not Why should I care? but What does this mean in my life? What might the Culture of Encounter look like? feel like? And how can I engage? I hope this story might offer a few insights.
With 190,000+ miles on it, my 2015 Jeep Cherokee is running on borrowed time. My goal is to have it for 225,000 miles and I'm not even convinced that I can or will give it up at that time!
Car problems never emerge as a convenient time. And, it would be naive of me to think that at this mileage they are unlikely. Therefore, when the radiator busted and sent the engine temperature to red, I knew I had to get help. The alternative meant losing the car then and there.
I called Triple A and one hour later Siar came to tow my Jeep Cherokee from the East Bay, across the Bay Bridge and to my mechanic in San Francisco. He told me to hop in the seat beside him and the hour long journey began.
I wasn't worried about making conversation with Siar, but I wasn't sure how it would go. I have never been to Afghanistan, and regrettably, what I know about this ancient, landlocked country is likely no more than what most Americans know. My associations aren't exactly positive. Due to Sports and Spirituality however, I remembered something else. I carry with me a remarkable story about an American who lived and stayed in its capitol city, Kabul because of soccer.
With Siar, I did exactly what I profess in my blog post entitled, Faraway Goal: Using story and soccer to talk about Afghanistan. Instead of my students, I was able to talk to Siar about Nick Pugliese, an American who found an opportunity to continue his soccer career after college in an unlikely place: Afghanistan’s pro soccer league with Ferozi FC.
Siar told me all about Kabul. I'm not sure that Siar was a fan of Nick's team. He was however aware that Ghazi stadium, Ferozi FC's home, was once used by the Taliban for public executions. Fortunately, in Pugliese's tenure, it became a locale for Afghani "association football matches." I didn't ask him what it's like today.
He shared with great pride that he is now an American citizen. I should have asked him what he thinks of the MLS.
Photo Credits
Kabul
Nick and friends
Pope selfie
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