The Headphones of Colin Kaepernick: An Invitation to Prayer

My dear friend left me a voice mail excited to share the success of both of our local NFL football teams. For her it's the Denver Broncos and for me, the San Francisco Forty-Niners. She also wanted to know what I think of of the Niners' quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. I know exactly why she was asking this question. If I didn't live in the Bay Area and if I weren't a 49er fan, I'm not sure what my impression would be. To the outside world he is a young and talented quarterback who—can be smug? often appears disinterested? is a bit of a punk? is he misunderstood? I have yet to answer her question.

From Kaepernicking to Superman to the ESPN Body Issue, Colin Kaepernick is....

I decided it was worth breaking open with the student athletes who are part of a faith formation group at the school where I teach. As our local hero, the Kap-bias leans positive. They love that he is a great performer. They marvel at his sheer athleticism. The majority of these students mentioned the tattoos and headphones he wears. The principal did not know that his ink (his word, not mine) features passages from the Bible. A missed opportunity for this group on my part—I should have looked at his body art to help us pray! Next time... 

Instead, I used the headphones for imagery to guide our prayer.

These days headphones are everywhere. Anyone can dictate what they hear thanks to iPods, iPhones and more. The headphones that #7 now advertises are more than comfortable; they import the highest quality of sound and block out—fairly effectively—the world. Like it or not, they are a barrier; they keep the insider in and the outsider out.

Thinking a little more about these headphones, I thought of a question I was recently asked at the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Faith Formation series: Do you ever feel like God is wearing headphones? You ask for His grace, you come with special intentions and it's hard to believe God is listening. If you do, and I have, this might be the appropriate image.

I know I have felt that way time and again. God is distracted. God is listening to other, more worthy needs. My song is not in God's rotation. I know this is far from the truth, but it helps to put an image to my sentiments.

Perhaps you believe God gives you another reaction and response—the smug, "try me" look. You might feel that God would say to you "You want this? Really?" If you do, this might be the appropriate image.

One message from Pope Francis's first Angelus points to a much different reality. He said, "The Lord never tires of forgiving. We are the ones who tire of asking forgiveness." I suppose the opposite of generosity is smugness. Help me never to be complacent with my shortcoming and failings oh Lord! 

This photograph was taken in the press conference following the play-off win over Carolina. Kap had a great game and took the podium with ease. He maintains strong eye contact and invites all questions. Is your image of God like this? Do you come to Him with questions? Do you feel as though God is an engaged listener? Is God eager to answer?

This final photograph captures CK in a moment of delight. In Tattoos on the Heart, Jesuit priest Greg Boyle says "God created us because He thought we'd enjoy it." I love nothing more that to see someone I love enjoying a moment—that brings me joy. I have a sneaky suspicion that God isn't much different.

Sit with these images and determine which one speaks to your perception of how you see God. And when you're done, turn the tables. How does God see you? Are you wearing headphones? Are you smug? Are you inquisitive and curious? Are you smiling in delight? I hope so...Go Niners.

Photo Credits
Headphones Commercial
CK Delight
CK Inquisitive
Superman

Saints, Sportsmen, Sports and Spirituality Two of the Five Things You Might Not Know About the Sacraments

In addition to the fact that there are seven of them, what do you know about the sacraments? Likely answers include: a priest administers most of them, but a deacon and anyone of the baptized faithful can administer a few others. The writer of this blog can never receive one (Holy Orders), but has already received an unlikely other (the Sacrament of the Sick). For Sports and Spirituality purposes, let's consider five things you might not know, or if you do, perhaps this will be in a new context....

1. There are Sacraments and there are sacraments.
The proper noun refers to the seven Sacraments in the Catholic tradition: Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Sacrament of the Sick. These Sacraments are signs through which the Church manifests and celebrates its faith and God's saving grace.

The common noun "sacrament" in the Catholic tradition can be anyone or anything. For example, pictured here are two prominent symbols in a classroom: the crucifix for Christianity and the hockey stick for its sport. But what if I told you that the hockey stick was a sacrament. How might that be?

Suppose that hockey stick was given to this teacher by his wife on his birthday a year after their twin daughters were born. He loved to play hockey every single day if and as possible, but in the last year, that free time is a thing of the past. Each daughters' special needs trump the need to show up at the rink. 

His sacrifice however has not gone unnoticed. In gratitude for his love, support and assistance, his wife went out of her way to get his hockey stick signed by the great Wayne Gretzky. It says "Congratulations on a big year!" That hockey stick is much more than a finished piece of wood, it's a sacrament.

2. Sacraments are a visible sign of God's invisible grace.
Proper and common noun alike verify this reality and the Nicene Creed attests to it: I believe in things visible and invisible. I do. I believe in things I can never see—like love, God, and the Resurrection, yet God knows us too well. Our humanity demands that we see in order to believe. And that is why the Gospel passage of the Doubting Thomas is of great import.

In John 20: 24-29 we read

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

I first encountered this painting on a retreat. Seeing it in person was a highlight from my trip to Rome

I absolutely love Caravaggio's painting "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas" because it depicts a sense that God is willing to meet us more than half way. The Risen Christ has let Thomas, deep into his wound. He lets him touch that which is painful and real. In spite of Thomas' skepticism, He invites him to share in His pain, His Humanity, His Divinity— His resurrection! We often forget that Thomas carried his own wounds. He loved the Lord deeply; Jesus' death was a great loss. A popular public speaker Michael Pritchard says that "pain shared is pain divided." God gives the increase.

Furthermore, the Lord knows we are earthly creatures—we must touch, taste, see and hear to understand. We need the invisible made visible. Sacraments do that. I hear my sins out loud when I confess them to a priest, I taste Jesus' body in the Eucharist, my forehead was dripping with the seal—the chrism oil—used to affirm the promise my parents made at my Baptism. And with the Sacraments come God's grace—a gift, literally a favor. Grace attends to what we need—faith, forgiveness, love, peace, healing, nourishment, etc. 

But we need not go solely to a priest or a church to encounter God's grace. The sacraments can be found in unlikely people and places. Perhaps it was a Yankees baseball game after 9/11 (healing) or a framed picture of Payne Stewart at Pinehurst No. 2, U.S. Open 1999 (love and peace). The sacraments abound if we have the eyes to see them.

Between now and the next posting—the remaining three things you might not know about the sacraments—look for them. Perhaps you will avail yourself to one at daily Mass, perhaps your prayer tonight will be for another. God's grace abounds.

Photo Credits
Payne Stewart wins at Pinehurst
7 Sacraments
Caravaggio

Saints, Sportsmen, Spirituality and Sports: Five Things You Might Not Know About the Sacraments

None more deserving of this honor.

The recent nomination of Pope Francis as Time magazine's "Person of the Year" and Peyton Manning as Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" makes me think of many things, but one in particular: sacraments—yes, sacraments. That is also the topic of a talk: "Saints, Sportsmen, Spirituality and Sports" I am giving tonight to a confirmation class.  I think that milieu is a fun way to make some creative connections and think differently about sacraments—a great gift of the Church.

I think it's important to consider what one already knows about the sacraments. Many Catholics are likely to reply "there are seven of them." Good answer! And this group of 20 freshmen and sophomores is about to receive one, but there is much more. 

For their purposes, it is important to know that confirmation is not graduation. For some reason, it feels that way, but we never graduate from our faith. As stated in "Life Teen," "Jesus is always forming us, and there is always more that we can learn. There are more ways to grow. Our faith is a life-long journey, We can always experience deeper conversion, and Jesus continually calls us into a deeper relationship with Him."  

Who was the best man? Cooper or Eli?

Another sacrament can serve as an important example to help us understand this truth about confirmation. The resource guide states "Two people do not stop falling in love the day they get married. There's a beautiful celebration, family and friends have gathered to witness the sacrament a couple has been preparing for. But those two people don't look at each other the next day and say Finally, we graduated from falling in love." To stay married, a couple commits to continuing to love, cherish and respect one another. Certainly, that requires God's grace. That grace is given in the Sacrament, but sustained in community, the Church, its liturgical celebrations and prayer.

Confirmation then, is a sacrament of Christian maturity. As one of the three sacraments of initiation, we are reminded in this sacrament that we received the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism (the flame from our baptismal candle represented this). This grace, and initiation into the Holy Spirit is not yet complete. That grace, from Baptism, is completed and sealed by the Sacrament of Confirmation! This Sacrament signifies a greater outpouring of God's grace—one that is given for a purpose. Our gifts and talents point to what that may be.

What a year.

And the Sacraments are one of two great gifts we receive from the Catholic Church. The Catechism states that "Jesus commissioned the Apostles first to make people disciples through their preaching, in other words, to awaken their faith and only then to baptize them. There are two things therefore, that we receive from the Catholic Church: faith and sacraments." Increasing our faith by worship, community and of course the Sacraments is something that we can seek out all of our lives.

In his First Angelus, Pope Francis said "the Lord never tires of forgiving. We are the ones who tire of seeking forgiveness." How true are his words! My humanity binds me to imperfection. I hurts others and myself. I sin and mess up. God's mercy ever flows, his grace is gratuitous. It has strengthened my journey in spite of my ways. Thank you Lord!

And so the next posting will include the "Five Things Your Might Not Know About the Sacraments." The Pontiff and #18 will provide some fun examples and insights, those creative connections I am hoping for!

Photo Credits

Of Golf Instruction and the Confessional

Halfway through the women's golf clinic, the pro called on one attendee at at time to walk with her from the driving range to the small building where we would get personalized instruction. Anxious for my turn, I looked around me and saw fear on the faces of those about to enter the land of individualized instruction. I had this expression before. Each woman approached the mystical, magical shed replete with its sophisticated technology suited for one's golf swing with trepidation. It was all too familiar. It was precisely the same look as those who approach what some consider a "torture chamber;" it was the look that many men, women and children take to the Sacrament of Confession.

I would so love to go to this...

In "A Big Heart Open to God," Pope Francis said,

In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy. When that happens, the Holy Spirit inspires the priest to say the right thing. 

“This is also the great benefit of confession as a sacrament: evaluating case by case and discerning what is the best thing to do for a person who seeks God and grace. The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord’s mercy motivates us to do better. 

What an honor it must be to have the Holy Father listening
one's confession

I agree. For many, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is scary and unwelcome. But it's also important to recognize and name we are all in need of God's healing. We can all do better—I'll take whatever motivation I can get. And motivation by way of mercy? God's grace? Sounds beautifully holistic to me. And I don't mean to diminish the beauty and significance of the sacrament by comparing it to a golf clinic. But, it helps to start with what is familiar so we can grow more comfortable with what might be unfamiliar to many Catholics.  

Nothing magnifies the notion that we can all do better than the sport of golf. Careful evaluation of one's swing by a professional is necessary for improvement. Golf asks me not to be so hard on myself; I do better when I relax, take a deep breath and let go. I think human life isn't that much different.

As a teacher, I accompany my own students to confession once a year. During Holy Week, we spend an entire class period in the chapel for a reconciliation service. It includes an examination of conscience, time for journaling, a mediation on forgiveness and students are invited to partake of the sacrament. 

Its humbling for me to witness this grace—from start to finish. It's also important to note, that it's not easy for students to stand up and avail themselves to the priest in front of their peers. They approach the Confessional with that (same) trepidation. Everyone is watching; everyone is looking to see who will go where. And yet everyone emerges with the same expression, the same sense of peace, the same sort of quiet after the storm, the same sense of there is work to be done—but in this moment—all is okay.

I saw that similar relief as every woman returned to the golf range. They were ready, willing and able to give it another go. A task was given, a wrong may have been righted and each was called to swing anew.

And the similarities don't start and stop at the entry and exit. For example, one tactic that helped this crew of newer golfers was the reminder from Jess, the pro, to secure contact with the ball with G.A.S.P. in mind. Four fundamentals for the golf swing include:
G = grip
A = alignment
S = stance
P = posture
Golfers already have enough to think about, but framed in this way, we could proceed with the "Full Swing Clinic" with a better sense of direction. She demonstrated how to execute each one properly.

I like golf because we can learn and seek improvement at every age.

At a reconciliation service on our faculty retreat this week, the presider informed us of the three B's for a good confession.
1. Be Brief
2. Be Bold
3. Be Gone
These were welcome words to many. It's hard enough to get many to participate in the sacrament in front of our own adult peers, but invitation to brevity made it that much more manageable for many.

This year, I hope to get to Confession more than twice a year—Lent and Advent. I am in need of God's mercy, forgiveness and grace. It is the primary path to becoming more loving, holy and fully human. I don't know how any of those attributes will lower my golf handicap, but I also know I need to get lessons and personalized instruction time and again. The bad habits I develop affect my score, my lower back and how much I enjoy the round. I suppose in that way, life isn't all that much different.  

Here's to what is to be learned from the confessional and the course. Cheers.

Photo Credits
Pope Francis at Confession
Women's Golf Clinic
Young and Old

Imagine: Put Image To Your Spirituality

When you hear the word "imagine," what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it an image—a light bulb? Is it a task—one that reminds you of your childhood? Maybe it's John Lennon song (full disclosure: one of my least favorites). When I hear "imagine," I immediately break down the word: to put image to. This definition "works" for me...it's easier for me to put image to something than to take the leap of doing so by way of the very "imagine." They are, however, one in the same.

As part of the final project for Sports & Spirituality, my students were asked to put image to their spirituality. They were required to find a photo that captures them, someone or something engaged in "the quest for something that is above us, that is bigger, deeper, more than the ordinary, surface reality of life. Christian spirituality stresses that we begin with the gift from above from the Holy Spirit of God. You could even define Christian spirituality as our life in the Spirit of God or the art of letting God's Spirit fill us, work in us, guide us." (Michael D. Guinan, O.F.M., Christian Spirituality: Many Styles: One Spirit) 

There is nothing religious about this photo, but it captures my Spirituality. One of my favorite verses in Scripture is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When I achieve anything good—or great!—it is because of the gifts that God has given to me. God lifts me up and gives the glory. AMDG

I was anxious to see how students saw this Spirit, how it might be working in their lives or the world. How do they imagine the Holy Spirit? Can they "put image to" the Spirit of God in a personal, concrete way? 

I decided if I was going to ask this of them, I had to point the way with my own example. (When I saw the image of Buster Posey holding up Tim Lincecum after his no-hitter, it struck me on a much deeper level) This is what we found; perhaps you will be surprised, inspired, confused or intrigued  Many found their spirituality in sports, nature and the Church. Indeed God's Spirit fills us everywhere. Essentially, I asked them to "Find God in All Things" but what I came to see is that "In all things, we can find God."  Enjoy.

Surfing is innately spiritual. They didn't develop the term "Soul Surfer" for nothing! (Noah)

This is my sister and I in Jerusalem lighting a candle in The Church Of The Holy Sepulchre. This picture describes how my faith has developed and how it has become a distinct part of my life. (Michael)

My Spirituality is at its best in community. The Spurs were able to achieve what they did because everyone contributed in their own way (Tim).

Team AMDG (Lindsay)

Who's got it better than us? NOBODY! (Joe)

Nature provides many a cathedral. (Sydney)

Parker wrote: Both teams experience success while also proving that team chemistry is truly important. If you look at a guy like Bazemore who isn't worried about his playing time but rather just celebrating a being a fantastic teammate, that something I truly admire. It relates to my spirituality because I see the strength in numbers that these teams had, they weren't just individuals, they were a unit which is something I appreciate.

Sarah wrote: As a Christian, I have the opportunity to be a source of God's light in the world. 

Photos Credits