Can We Talk About Juju?

I am a religious person and a spiritual person. I'm not superstitious (I learned the hard way on that one. Guatemala, 2007). I've never used a Oujia board or seen a psychic. Nary a tarot card or Zodiac sign will be found among my possessions. I don't dabble. BUT, I don't mess with juju. Do you? And what I really want to know is: Can we talk about it?

To be honest, I thought the word was made up. I think it's a fun word to say. Turns out, there's more to it. According to Britannica

Juju is an object that has been deliberately infused with magical power or the magical power itself; it also can refer to the belief system involving the use of juju. Juju is practiced in West African countries... It is neither good nor bad, but it may be used for constructive purposes as well as for nefarious deeds. 

Juju operates on the principle of spiritual contagious contact based on physical contact. The underlying belief is that two entities that have been in close contact have similar properties even after being separated. It then becomes possible to manipulate one in order to reach the other. 

It is thought that spiritual similarity can be created by deliberately placing two things in physical contact. The underlying belief is that spiritual assimilation and fusion will take place, with one entity absorbing the qualities of the other. Amulets, charms, and mascots are all common forms of juju. Usually worn for protective purposes, those objects have been infused with a particular type of energy, and wearing them is expected to create paths and possibilities for the wearer, as well as guard them against ill fortunes and evil spirits.

Wow. And yet, when I think how and when I reference juju...this description rings true.

For example, I am most sensitive to the juju when I gamble. If I don't like the feel of the table or if a person joins it and brings new juju, bad juju, I will walk away.

Like many sports fans, I am mindful of the juju. For example, when people ask "If we win the Super Bowl, what day is the parade?" I can hardly answer the question. I have no problem with pundits and fans making predictions, but to talk about real possibilities and plans? No can do. Bad Juju. 

Combine sports and gambling—which many of us do—and the juju takes on a life of its own. The movie, "Silver Linings Playbook" captures that dynamic perfectly. I too have blamed certain people for messing up my team's juju.

So what gives? Or rather, why give into the juju. "I Don't Want Your Good Juju" a post featured in the National Catholic Reporter, captures my question... and my answer.

Futhermore, I don't pray to roll my point on craps. I don't ask God to guide my hand in Blackjack when I decide to split the eights. I will never pray for my team to win the game—parlay or not. I will however ask God for the health and safety of all athletes. I am happy to pray that my team uses their talents to the best of their abilities and glorify God in the process. I pray for a game that is fair. Do I pray for a game that is fun? why not!

Prayer is raising our hearts and minds to God. It is fundamental to my relationship with the Lord. Prayer is communication—listening and yes, asking. But I don't see God as a slot machine who grants my wishes—as much as I might want them to come true! Prayer is so much more. It is sacred and holy. Authentic prayer is as raw and it is real. And, I believe it's worth making the distinctions. 

In short, I save prayer for the big stuff, for the real stuff. As much as I enjoy gambling and love sports, they have their place. Obviously sports enhance my life. They make it more meaningful and fun, but they don't control it (I am sensitive to the fact that others might feel differently e.g. Kyle Shanahan and his family. I think Brock Purdy is sincere when he thanks Jesus for the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl). And thus, it is in that same spirit that I can tune in to the juju and tune it out. 

I hope Super Bowl LVIII is a great game and my team plays to the best of its abilities. May the best team win and the juju be kind ;-)

And just to prove there is a prayer for just about everything, here's a Super Bowl Sunday Prayer

Dear God, As we gather with family and friends to enjoy the NFL championship game, may we recall the truths and qualities that make sports wholesome and good. May the virtues of preparation, experience, teamwork and determination be on display. Not only on the field but within our lives. Enable discernment, trust, good conduct and sportsmanship. Establish grace in both winning and losing and fill us with hope and anticipation for the new season yet to come. Amen.

Photo Credits
Allegiant
Tiffany and Pat
Jackpot

Just Show Up: The Power of Presence Part I

Woody Allen has made the claim that "80% of success is showing up." I once thought this was a pathetic standard. Showing up yields success? Seems to me like it take much more than that. The longer I live however, the more I agree with him. He's on to something...it's true.

I was confronted by several examples and challenges of this claim in the past week.  At Sunday Mass, the ushers for the communion line was a father-daughter team.  They were a striking pair for two reasons. First, it spoke to me that a parent and his child would minister at the Mass together. Second, he was well dressed and she...was wearing her Convent on the Sacred Heart basketball uniform.  

Clearly she had just come from her game.  Growing up, I remember wearing my Sunday best to Mass.  I once thought it was important to dress appropriately for church services and a part of me still does. But today, I am thrilled when young people attend mass in their uniform.  I'm just glad they show up.

With the number of Mass times, it should be easier than ever to "show up" but I know many young people don't. They show up for practice and their games; my hope it they show up for Sunday services. I hope they will become a member of a faith community and as evidenced by this father-daughter duo, even participate in the service.

Showing up it is a not a given. Many people don't—which is what Allen is addressing. And when we don't, not only do we miss out, but those around us do too as painfully evidenced in the movie "Silver Linings Playbook." 

The main character, Pat Solitano struggles with mental health issues, namely a bipolar condition. He is committed to a mental institution for eight months and the movie begins upon his release—his re-entry to independence. In several different scenes important people in his life—two close friends and even his brother apologize for not visiting him. Each one is a sad reflection of them and made me pause to consider: What do we prioritize?  Why don't we show up?  How would things be different for Pat if his brother  and friends had shown up?  

In a funny twist in the movie, Pat's father (played by Robert DeNiro) blames his son for the Eagles' loss. Pat and his brother were unable to "show up" for the game; they were arrested for fighting in the parking lot outside Lincoln Financial Field. Mr. Solitano truly believed that the Eagles would have won had Pat been at the game until Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence) makes a convincing argument for where Pat should have shown up and didn't.  

I like to think of the Incarnation as "God shows up." God didn't need to become one of us, but God did so for us. In Jesus Christ, we have God made flesh. A God who isn't absent but who shows up,  who struggled and suffered like we do.  Who was rejected but rose from the dead. Who loved and was loved in return.  Some pretty good reasons to show up if you ask me.

I wish I had taken a surreptitious photo of a couple who sat in front of me at the 5:30 pm Mass on a Sunday in January after a huge Forty-Niner victory.  Replete with matching #85 Vernon Davis jerseys, I knew by their enthusiasm and swag that they had come from the game.  And yet part of me thinks I got one. I have a good mental snapshot of who they are and what matters to them. I'm grateful I showed up to see that.....

Photo Credits
Two Brothers
Father and son
Tailgate
Just Show Up Pillow: from Mary Ahlbach's classroom