Spiritual Identity III: A Sense of Humor & Ole Miss

Briggs taught me about "Chucky Mullins" an All-American
Ole Miss football player. He is known for the devastating
 football injury that left him a quadriplegic.

It can be tremendously difficult to be objective about something or someone we are very close to. I think it's important that we recognize and own the biases that we each carry. However, surrendering our subjectivity can prove challenging. I've always thought one thing that helps in the process is being able to laugh at ourselves.

I don't know if this is a lost art, but it's a rare creature who has the ability to find the humor in his or her humanity. When you find this person, keep close to them. They can be great teachers. You'll also notice, more likely than not, they won't be too full of themselves. My maternal Grandmother had this great gift. I can still see the twinkle in her Irish eyes as she called out her own foibles and shortcomings. She was so easy to love. 

And this past semester, I discovered one of my students held this same virtue. In his presentation on Spiritual Identity, he felt compelled to share with his classmates one of his great passions: being an Ole Miss Football Fan. As if it weren't interesting enough to find a Rebels fan growing up in San Francisco, what he had to say about it resonated with me as a Notre Dame fan and it made me laugh.

It means:

•       Irrational anger at many irrelevant events during the course of a game

•       Loyalty

•       Wishing you were less loyal

•       Refusal to eat corndogs or be within 100 feet of a cowbell

•       Traditional

•       Having absurd expectations despite knowing the inevitable misery the season will bring

•       Falling back on, “If your team was in the SEC you’d lose a lot too!”

•       Almost cult-like admiration for a head coach for 3 years

•       After 3 years blaming all failures on said coach and demanding he be fired
•      Only having a good quarterback every 30 years

The pride of Oxford, MS, American novelist
William Faulkner

This student encouraged me to look at what I love through another lens. I think it's important to name objective and subjective elements of our experiences, ideas and passions. It's worth sharing the qualities we respect, admire and appreciate and those that well, we need to own, those we ought to reconsider, those which confirm we are indeed human. When we do both, it's easy to see that the truth and the humor is someone in the middle. 

High school students have no problems laughing at one another. But I try to let them know it's good to laugh at themselves. In order to do that, I've worked on it myself. Maybe something more of us could do in the new year...!

Photo Credits
Chucky Mullins

Influences on Spiritual Identity: Dead Poets Society

"Dead Poet's Society" a drama released in 1989 starring the late Robin Williams, has had a tremendous impact on my spiritual identity. Much more than one might expect.

It has colored my world in ways that are obvious—ultimately, it is about an inspiring teacher who helps his students find their own voice and seize the day. Indeed, his teaching philosophy is no secret: Carpe Diem! But, I also love it for unsuspecting reasons. 

To me, the movie is accentuated by beautiful and subtle nuances. From the intimate lighting and classical music that characterizes Mr. Keating's office, to the physical landscape that surrounds Welton aka "Helton" Academy, "Dead Poets Society" is rife with beauty. 

I know for a fact, that beauty is precisely why I was drawn to rowing. It's almost strange to admit it, but the reason I even went out for crew at Notre Dame is because of one very brief scene in the movie, one that really isn't even part of the story line. 

And speaking of beauty, I'm pretty sure like many teenage girls, I wanted to be some form of Chris (maybe I still do?!). I have worn the same white ribbon that graces her hair and if I could have found her sweater, I would have worn that too. Where are you Knox?

But the true beauty this film reveals is mentioned in the title. "Dead Poets Society" is the story of an English teacher who casts aside parental pressures and orthodox teaching methods so his students will come to know, understand and love poetry. In his effort to do this, we—the audience—become his students too. One poem that has stayed with me all these years, is one he recites to his class. 

O Me! O Life!

BY WALT WHITMAN

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,

Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,

Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

                                       Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity,

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

A fan of American poet Walt Whitman, Keating enables his students to appreciate what every teacher hopes their students will come to believe. "That you are here" has mattered. In fact, it has made a difference. "You may contribute a verse." The future postings on identity will reveal those verses.

As I say fare thee well to the 60 seniors enrolled in Sports and Spirituality, a semester course, I want them to know what Keating wanted his students to know. I want them to believe and to live the words of Whitman. I will read this poem as part of our final class sharing—a humble yet sincere way for me to express my gratitude for what they have taught me.

NB: Standing in the Olympic Club in downtown San Francisco earlier this evening, I stood next to the marquee that features the photo and bio of a Club member who has recently died. It may appear jarring or unusual to have a small obit in a public place, but it also celebrates the life and legacy of the member. For nearly a month this past year, the card of Robin Williams was on display (much longer than usual). A life that ended too soon, I remember the "Barbaric Yawp" he sounded.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. 


Photo Credits
Keating's poetry
Lady Chris
Movie poster

Questions of Spiritual Identity: Part I

I decided to write a multi-part series on identity. Spirituality and identity go hand in hand. If religion is the roots, spirituality is the wings; religion the binding and spirituality, the breath. Our spirituality is as unique as we are. That's why I love to begin framing the unit on Spiritual Identity with one of my favorite gospel passages: Matthew 16: 13-20 known as Peter’s Confession about Jesus.

In this Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples an imporant question. It's the question. Who do people say that I am? They provide a number of responses, none of which are all too unfamiliar. But Jesus revisits the question. He's not concerned with the word on the street, the idea at large. He wants to know who do YOU say that I am.

What a great question to carry with us this Advent. We will spend four weeks in joyful anticipation of the birth of whom? Who is this person we are waiting for. What difference does He make?

This is a question every Christian must ask themselves. Who do you say that Jesus is? If you stood face to face with Him, what would you say? And what would He hear?

One thought I have always carried with me is that Jesus is asking his disciples a question that speaks to the heart of relationship. Who am I to you? An authentic response might be beautiful and meaningful. Maybe you are someone's teacher, coach or cousin. You might be one's spouse, best friend or maybe you're one of the lucky ones who is both. Perhaps the answer to this question is a response that is painful or sad. Maybe you were once friends or teammates. Maybe you are aren't sure who you are to someone. Meh. 

Jesus doesn't leave his disciples in a lurch. He affirms what Peter reveals: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

But Jesus also tells them to keep that answer to themselves. He doesn't want others to follow just because of who people say He is. Indeed, He knows that is bound to happen. But ultimately, Jesus wants a relationship with each and every one of us. And in the development and sustenance of that relationship, He wants us to articulate for ourselves who we understand He is in our lives. 

Is Jesus your center? Your brother? Savior? Friend? Confidante? Is He the suffering servant or the King of Kings? Perhaps he is someone you are taking more time to know this Advent.

Answering this question myself has led me to a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian. In praying with and for an understanding of who Jesus is to me, I have found I am also more grounded in who I am as a Catholic.

I invited my students to consider these components to paint the portrait of their spiritual identity. I was humbled by so many of their responses and admittedly discouraged by several others. But we also had some fun with this.

Samantha Gong qualified as an individual and took an impressive 6th place at the CIF State Meet in Southern California.  Samantha has a great combination of length off the tee (280 yards) and a delicate short game.  Here is a picture of the Top 6 golfers at the State Meet holding their CIF Medals. WOW! 280 off the tee...awesome!

Rev Dr Michael Tino poses the question "Does the spiritual life need to be so spiritual?" I hope you can agree; I think the answer is "no." So the following postings will include input on

1. What is means to be an Ole Miss fan.
2. What is means to be a Boston Red Sox fan in San Francisco.
3. What it means to be a coach.

Tonight, I'll conclude with what one of my seniors included in her presentation. A senior on the varsity girls golf team, she synthesized core components of her identity here. I thought it was so creative...and true! She writes:

What does it mean to be...

• A Catholic: Pray
• An Athlete: pray and play
• A Golfer: pray, play and putt
• A Captain: pray, play, putt and preside. 

In today's Gospel, the third Sunday of Advent, people ask John the Baptist who he is.  He tells them who he is and who he is not. In the 10 days that remain until Christmas, I invite you to consider who you are. Who you are not. How is Christ a part of your identity.

Photo Credits
Question Mark
Jesus as liberal?
SI Girls Golf: Thank you John M!

Run the Race: Keep the Faith

It isn't uncommon for devout Christian athletes to name a singular passage of scripture and let it attest to their life. For example, on his Twitter page, Stephen Curry includes St. Paul'ls Letter as integral to his identity. I don't blame him, I try to live by those same words: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

In addition to the community at Philiippi, St. Paul referred to sports in his letters to the Corinthians and his companion—Timothy, quite often. Paul lived in a society that held athletes and sports in great esteem very much like our society does today.

However, Paul saw the spiritual potential of sport and used it to his advantage in his teaching. Athletes run the race for a perishable crown, but Paul encouraged the Corinthians to pursue an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Faith without a purpose, without a goal is frivolous. The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote, “Persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1). Athletic or not, his words are meant to guide anyone who believes, those who struggles and those who yearns to keep steadfast on the journey. 

Faith need not be abstract or elusive. What it is and how it develops can be understood through analogy, example. Developing our faith takes discipline and commitment. What athlete doesn't thrive without either? Keeping faith is a challenge. Athletes train and prepare for the contest. Victory is awarded to the one who has...worked harder? trained smarter? developed his or her talent? No, to the one who has kept the faith. Amen.

This video "Run the Race" by Moving Works synthesizes those passages of scripture that use sport for spirituality. As a runner and a Christian, it's message is not lost on me. I've heard each one before, but I like how this reflection extracts the beautiful truth of each letter.

Perhaps after watching it, you will commit to praying with a specific passage whenever you prepare, train and compete. Go for it.

Photo Credits
@StephenCurry30 Twitter Page
Thank you Sarah Armstrong for sending me the video!

Sports & Spirituality at Notre Dame: #GiveJoy

I think curiosity is an underrated virtue. It is a true joy to teach a young person who is genuinely curious about faith, the Catholic Church, how the world works and what makes a person tick. At its best, curiosity can take us outside of ourselves, How's that? A curious person's perspective is less about "me" and more about "how" or "why." Keep a keen sense of curiosity, and life is one big adventure.

I mention this virtue because I absolutely love it when people ask me why I went to college in South Bend. Once they realize I grew up in the Bay Area and that I am the first in my family to go to Notre Dame, they ask "How did that happen?"

A recent video on the Notre Dame alumni homepage about to the importance of the Advent season offers a clue. Long before I wrote and taught about Sports and Spirituality, I was drawn to it. I have been living a symbiosis of these two powerful factors all of my life. 

At some point on the journey, I realized how important my Catholic faith was to me. It was passed on to me by my parents and cultivated in Catholic schools. What a gift. With a student body that is over 85% Catholic, I knew faith was a guiding force at Our Lady's University. The Grotto is just one of many sacred and prayerful places on campus. Spirituality is what separates ND from many but certainly not all places.

The very heart of campus—the Grotto

I also realized in middle school that athletics was ingrained in my identity. Maybe it was all of those Pac-10 football games I went to in order to watch my Uncle Jay referee a game. Or perhaps it was falling in love with the sport of tennis at the age of 12. I still remember my dad signing me up for a local tennis camp and hoping that I would love this "sport of a lifetime" too. I met a lot of athletes at Notre Dame. I played in a lot of Rec sports. I continue to attend Notre Dame games near and far. 

So how does this add up?

During Advent, we are called to be mindful of how we are preparing our minds and hearts for Christ. Spiritual disciplines help in this process. "Share the Joy" is one way the University of Notre Dame is helping the ND family prepare. 

I have to admit when I saw Corey Robinson as the face of the video, I was curious. I knew he was strong on the field. As written on the Notre Dame Football website "The sophomore wide receiver earned the distinction of being named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America® Division I Football Team just last week." The son of David Robinson—one of my favorite basketball players— "is the first sophomore at an NCAA Division I institution to earn first-team Academic All-America honors since 2008. He also is just the fourth sophomore to attain first-team status since 2002." Great job Corey! I wondered What he might offer about his faith. What might Advent mean to him?

I was pleasantly surprised he was one of several respondents. Half are from the spiritual side e.g. Campus ministry and the others represent athletics e.g. a rower and a lacrosse player offer their thoughts. Ultimately they encourage us to #GiveJoy in a way that is more than a present under a tree. 

It could be something as simple as serving at a local non-profit, donating your favorite book, shoveling your neighbors’ driveway while they are not home. Or maybe it’s donating to a charity in someone else’s name, organizing Christmas carols at a local nursing home, or becoming “Kris Kringle” for a low-income family.

I'm curious about how others are preparing for Christmas....I know the "why"...more on "how...." Peace.

Photo Credits
Grotto
Basilica