Every so often the sports stars align. Fans take inventory in the early hours of the morning and realize they were treated to a great sports night just hours earlier. Exciting games, spectacular feats, unique plays and web gems abound. I love going to work or to the gym the morning after one of those nights to hear what reports dominate the airwaves among my fellow sports' junkies. Though the Golden State Warriors playoff game against the Portland Trailblazers was exciting, I couldn't wait to show my students one thing: Jeff Samardzija channeling Bo Jackson. What he did reminds me that sports is a gift. Watching athletes we love perform and compete is never a given. When we see greatness, it's natural to think back upon other outstanding moments in sports history. It's easy to think ahead to what will be. But, we are always called to live in the moment. And as Mary Oliver writes, "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." Hell yeah.
Although Samardzija's strike out wasn't particularly exciting or memorable his reaction was. Personally, I love that a pitcher, the baseball player who is quite often the least likely to get a hit was this upset by his performance at the plate. It's not as though he were batting clean up with the bases loaded. Doesn't matter to The Shark. #baller. But, I know his feat prompted one of two responses.
I sure wish he still played football.
I miss Bo Jackson.
More on that here.
Though Notre Dame fans know that Samardzija, a wide receiver for the Irish made the smart choice career wise to play in the MLB, every single one of them says the same thing to me: I miss seeing him catch touchdowns...I would love to see him play in the NFL....How great was it watching that guy pull down the pigskin ....great hands/great hops... We knew the Brady Quinn—Shark connection was special when it was happening on those Saturdays in the Fall from 2003-2006. When I think back on them, I can't help but smile. I don't miss Charlie Weis, but I miss wondering what the Notre Dame offense might do when Quinn was chumming the water. Today, the Shark swims in new ones. And as last night demonstrated, it's still fun to watch him play. I took immense satisfaction in hearing that Giants' catcher Buster Posey say,
“He has some of the most explosive stuff I’ve caught from start to finish. I can’t think of any guy from the first inning through the last with the kind of (velocity) and action he had tonight."
Wow, wow, wow. Irish fans, give thanks for the memories. Giants fans, enjoy the ride.
Perhaps it's more than coincidence that Samardzija posed for a poster that was a remake of a one that hung in thousands of college dorm rooms in the mid-80s. What he did in Cincinnati was something Bo Jackson did with ease. Jackson, one of my favorite athletes of all time treated the baseball bat as though it were a tooth pick, breaking it over his knee in more than one game and over HIS HEAD in another. In the "30 for 30: You Don't know Bo," one of Jackson's teammates said he once tried this maneuver and nearly broke his leg. Seeing Samardzija channel Bo Jackon made me wish for that time when you might see Bo mimic spiderman in the outfield, catching a well hit baseball, nailing a baserunner at homeplate...with his throw from..the outfield (not cut-off man required), or looking for him on the sidelines talking fellow Raider, Marcus Allen. Jackson made great athletes look good. A hip injury ended his career too early. Though he returned to baseball for a time, Bo knew retirement.
The legend of Bo Jackson lives on...but we sure do miss him. It's a funny time of year to think about missing those we love and wanting to hold on to them and their memory. During these 50 days of the Easter season, Christ appeared to his disciples. He broke bread and even ate fish with them. He let them touch his wounds. His mere presence set hearts on fire. I look for the Lord in an intentional way during Eastertide. I hope to catch a glimpse of Him and listen to what He has to say. It's not easy to see, but the heart gives it away. And though it may seem insignificant—in that same spirit—I try to make something more out of those great nights in sports. I believe there's something for all of us to feast on. Today, it was a realization to appreciate the here and now...we'll miss it later. Photo Credits Quinn and Samardzija Samardzija Knows Bo Breaks
“Hardly any practice is so distinctively Catholic as the cult of saints.”As we read Avery Dulles’ “The Catholicity of the Church” I was disappointed that my students were exponentially more interested in the notion of a “cult” within Catholicism than in the saints. Matthew Kelly states “it is true, some people have placed too much emphasis on the role the saints play in Catholic spirituality.”But this is not the spirituality of the young people I teach.And it is unfortunate, for saints have made the same journey we are called to explore for ourselves. I believe if we learn their language, we can gain a better understanding of how a person is transformed in Christ.
What is the language of the saints?And how have those in this “cult” been transformed in Christ?My students are seeking answers vis-à-vis “My Life With the Saints” by Jesuit priest, James Martin.It is more than the biography of sixteen holy men and women.To an extent, it is autobiography, yet it is ultimately an invitation to discover like the saints, how one can overcome struggles, faults and failings and still draw closer to God.
Martin’s companionship with the saints began in an unlikely place, at an unlikely time.Because of his passion for French, Martin traveled several times to France.One particular journey led him outside of Paris to Orléans, a city set free in 1429 by Joan of Arc.A Catholic Saint whose story was largely unfamiliar to him suddenly became a little more familiar.He decided to read more about her short life. He writes “Joan’s story introduced me to a new language: the special language of the saints—verbs like: believe, pray, witness and nouns like: humility, charity, ardor.”
I decided we would read each biography seeking new verbs and nouns—this language of the saints. My students met my request with a bit of a blank stare.What saint doesn’t “believe” and “pray?”What saint isn’t “humble” or a model of “charity.” They were right, even if the saints were largely unfamiliar to them.In response, I decided to apply this quest with the familiar—the San Francisco Giants to determine if could gain a better understanding of this “cult” and a new language.
The 2010 Giants are a dynamic and talented team. They have been deemed “lovable” nationwide, but Martin’s language of saints doesn’t include adjectives.Descriptors are easy; but choices and actions—verbs—and what they have or possess—nouns—are different.It’s a nuanced way of thinking, but it invites a creative reflection.
When I think of the Giants, verbs like: hustle and execute and nouns like: heart, pitching, torture and victory come to mind.Every game in the NLDS series was decided by one run.If the Giants didn’t hustle, the outcome could have been much different. All players, the pitchers, offense and defense, executed.
If you’re a Giants fan, you understand the team’s unofficial motto: torture. (For NLDS) No game was lop-sided or decided early on.In fact, the final two games of the four games series were determined in the final two innings.At times it was torture for me to watch.But this team has a lot of heart.It lacks the strong personalities of the past.Because of outstanding pitching and teamwork, victory is ours!
This example prompted my students to seek the language of the saints familiar and unfamiliar to them, in the text and beyond it.
Nouns: With the Blessed Mother we think of grace.We give hail to Mary, who was full of grace. With St. Monica, I think of persistence.She relentlessly prayed for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine.Thanks be to God she did!Because of him, we have a great theology.
Verbs: Let’s be honest, many of the saints are extreme.St. Francis, St. Ignatius of Loyola are but two examples of men who were able to renounce luxury and privilege.Their stories may be too severe, but they are viable examples of people who chose otherwise.Furthermore, many of their stories incorporate the supernatural. Padre Pio was able to bi-locate.He was seen at two places at once. Natural law indicates this is not possible; supernatural law allows for it.St Thomas the Apostle doubted.What person doesn’t struggle with their faith?Despite his doubt, He was also the first apostle to recognize Christ Jesus as the Risen Lord with his words “My Lord and My God!” And the list goes on…
The unofficial theme song of the 2010 San Francisco Giants is Don’t Stop Believin’ I think the same is true for one of the great spiritual treasures of the Catholic Church—the saints.Let us learn their language, for they can lead us to victory in Christ.
Photo Credits
Tapestry of the Saints
Joan of Arc
Giants Win the Pennant
Posey & Baum
