Holiness: A Contact Sport

Is holiness a contact sport? Is it something we can bump into?

A colleague of mine once described his daughter as clumsy. "She is always bumping into things." I thought to myself, "of all the words a parent could use to capture their child, he uses clumsy?!" You might not find that offensive in the least, but my antenna of judgment stood straight up. Turns out his description was not in vain. He was preparing for his father-of-the bride speech.

He said, "she was at an event and bumped into Chris. She spilled her drink on him. That's how they met. So we can bump glasses and toast to that." 

His words, that story, the collective "cheers" we gave to the happy couple and one another—I think the best word to describe it: holy.

If holiness were a contact sport, then how might you interact with those around you differently? Could you put yourself in their lane? I know I do what I can to avoid that— especially with people I find challenging or disagreeable. Rather than box out, would we be asked to box in? What does that even look like? 

This way of thinking about holiness came to me from Father Greg Boyle, SJ—priest, prophet and poet. In his latest book, "The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness," Boyle writes, "I always liked that Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s name: “Tekakwitha” means “she who bumps into things.” What if holiness is a contact sport and we are meant to bump into things?" He had me at contact sport.

In my life, I haven't played a lot of contact sports. The sports I have taken to—golf, tennis, long distance rowing and running—demand me to dig deep and keep my eye on the ball, the back of the person sitting in the seat in front of me or the road ahead. However, if you ask me What is your favorite sport to watch? one of them is a contact sport. Football (or American football for the soccer players out there), like other contact sports, necessitates physical, bodily contact. Contact sports require a lot of bumping into things and that isn't always easy. Athletes take a physical beating and run the risk of injury because of it. What we bump into might break. What we make contact with might hurt us and others. The path to holiness isn't all that different.

Boyle offers a response. He writes, 

In the end, all great spirituality is about what to do with our pain. We hesitate to eradicate the pain, since it is such a revered teacher. It re-members us. Our wounds jostle from us what is false and leaves us only with a yearning for the authentically poetic. From there to here. Holiness as a contact sport, busting us open into some new, unfettered place. We are hesitant, then, not to call it God. Remarkable, incredible, and… all the other “-ables.”

To me, that's a God who is tangible...palpable...and well, describable.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was a Native American, daughter of a Mohawk chief, a tribe belonging to the Iroquois Confederacy. She bumped into things because smallpox, left her with facial scarring and damaged eyesight. Canonized by Pope Francis, she saw what really mattered through the light of faith. Let put on that lens and engage in this contact sport. Amen

Photo credits
St Kateri
SI Field Hockey and Greg Boyle, SJ

4th of July: Sports & Spirituality Style

I've always wanted to make an
Uncle Sam cake for this holiday

Independence Day—the 4th of July—is my favorite holiday. Upon learning this, a good friend of mine Father Lou once said "it's the only thing not religious about you." I still smile when I think of his kind and thoughtful response. But the two need not be separate, right? So here's my take on America's birthday, sport and spirituality style. 

Listed below are recommendations for what every American ought to consider on this national holiday one year or the next.

Run a 5 or 10K
Americans love a good Turkey Trot, but why not kick start this day with a stars and stripes run? It's something men, women and children of all-ages can complete. It allows a little more license for the impending eats at your afternoon barbecue and as I've written many times, for me, running invokes prayer.

I still treasure the memories of the "Go Fourth" 10K I ran from Alexandria, VA to Mt. Vernon on this day 14 years ago. Running beside places of such historical significance framed the importance of this day. Maybe your road race will take you through a city or state park? Perhaps it is on a trail completed by the WPA. Maybe it's beside the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. America is expansive and diverse. Let your feet discover its awesome terrain. Don't forget to wear red, white and blue!

Attend Daily Mass on July 4
In the same spirit as Thanksgiving, the patriotism that flavors this holiday carries over into the Mass. The staff at your local parish would like to enjoy their own festivities as well, so there is usually but one common Mass on this day. And it's a special one because the petitions carry prayers of gratitude for our freedom, protection for those who serve our country and guidance for our leaders. The songs are ones that every American can and should sing: America the Beautiful, My Country This of Thee, etc. No Springsteen in that queue—but there could be...

I sit with my good friend Jackie every year.
Her family has been going to the Danville Parade for 30 years now

Attend your local 4th of July Parade
I have been out of the country on service Immersion trips twice and I regretted it—both times. I felt as though the heading of a new chapter for my book of summer was missing. For me, the best way to start the day (after my run) is showing up at the Danville Parade.

Your local parade gives you a real feel for the community, what it values and supports. Today I saw veterans from World War II on through a few from Iraq. We stood for "Blue Star Moms," a group of mothers who have sons and daughters active in the military. I always look forward to seeing the Little League All Star baseball players and what water pranks they intend to pull. 

But I'd like to make one small recommendation as you watch one float after another. Make a point to find the best "old school" NBA jersey in the crowd. You would be amazed what you will see. This year, we spotted a young man in a black striped Chicago Bulls jersey. #91. When he walked past, we were delighted to see instead of "Rodman" it said "The Worm." I told him it was a mistake not to wear one of the Detroit Pistons, from the Bay Boys Era. Give it a go. You'll like what you see... 

Pray to or read about the life of one American Saint

I would be remiss if I did not
mention the first Native American
Saint: Kateri Tekakwitha

Take your pick! There are so many holy and inspiring men and women whose selfless gifts indelibly shaped the Catholic Church in America. In addition to their feast day, take this day as one to thank them for the children they taught, the poor they served, the hospitals and schools they founded.

Canonized in 1946, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart is the first American saint.* "Mother Cabrini," as she is known was born in Italy but immigrated to the US and served men and women like her. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American saint who was born state side. She is known as the founder of the Sisters of Charity (and numerable associates) and the mother of our Catholic schools. St. John Neumann, a native of Bohemia immigrated to the US and later became Archbishop of Philadelphia. He once said "build a school and you'll have a church." I think "Field of Dreams" took his advice.

The rich tradition of saints is a treasure in the Catholic spiritual life. One component I love best is that we have Saints and we have saints. Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton are two exemplary American Catholics.  I'm sure you know of others...

If there ever way a time or place for a "no-no"

Listen to a baseball game on the radio
I write this because attending a baseball game on this day is a given. I will forever wish that I was in attendance at now Giants pitching coach Dave Rightetti's no-hitter as a New York Yankee on July 4, 1983. What could be more American than that? 

But, listening to a baseball game on the radio feels timeless, doesn't it? We refer to baseball as our national past time, but we know that time has passed. Hearing the narrative of the game through that magic box however, convinces me otherwise. It paints vibrant images, it transfers magnificent stories and recalls old memories. I like that past time on the long, hot summer days.

So as you drive to see the fireworks or head home from your pool party, turn on the AM radio and hopefully you'll catch a good game.

Play and compete in at least one sport or game...any sport or game
Horseshoes, ping pong (singles or doubles), volleyball, water balloon toss, belly flop contest, basketball in the pool. Something...anything. Nothing is more American that good old fashioned competition.

Three summers ago I traveled to Denver to spend this holiday with the Davis family. Their community pool and their large family had said games and more. I was so excited to be Sean's partner in the Mother-Son swim relay. I laughed when Pete's Dad and brother jumped in the pool with all the women for the beer toss. And I marveled at how some kids (and adults) sacrificed their bodies and their pride in the belly flop contest. 

My buddy Sean signing us up for volleyball. Forget that it mentions kids... ;-)

I could add to this list, but I'm going to sign off because I want to conclude this day by my final piece of advice. Watch a great American film. Tonight, I'm debating between "The Natural" and "Bull Durham." I'm leaning toward "The Natural." Why? It's soundtrack is so spiritual.

Happy Birthday America! And thank you for 238 years of Freedom.

Photo Credits
Rags
Uncle Sam Cake
St Kateri