It was interesting to read these words in a Martin O'Malley bit hidden on CBC.ca somewhere quoting the Colorado Rockies Manager of all people:
"You look at things that have happened to us this year. You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."He meant it in a good way. Languishing as they are now at .429, does Satan now get the credit? Separate from the entirely sensible personal faith decisions of the players¹, just as with each of us, the larger role of the Christian pantheon and the sports-related religiousity of the fan's expectation of outcome has never been very clear to me. Where stand the Cherubim, for example? Do they hover, guiding the bunted ball this way or that way along the third-base line? Why does Jesus not guide the hand of the child at catcher in the picture, too?
It was interesting to consider that quote and the statuette in light of the total collapse of the Red Sox that has gone from just bad pitching to something far worse. David Ortiz, the team's star designated hitter, appears to be suffered from rapid heartbeat. Manny Ramirez also was out with knee problems and has missed his fifth start in seven games. That is in addition to the fact that "Doug Mirabelli (left ankle) and Wily Mo Pena (left wrist) are still day-to-day. Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon and Alex Gonzalez are all on the disabled list." That is basically 2/3s of the team other than the pitching. And the pitching is not doing that well - which is a very polite way of putting it. Yet He abides with us.
But even with all that abiding - what do you make of a month like this? The World Series is a long way away but I seem to recall thinking that one was enough. I had made that pact before it happened, a little prayer. Was it me?
¹ One cannot but be impressed, for example, by Wakefield's good works in the community or Timlin's calm strength on the mound even as they may be dealing with the end of their best pitching years.
Comments
Temujin - August 29, 2006 12:17 pm
If you believe God exists, then <i>de facto</i> He has a hand in the world. But the extent to which that "hand" is active is rather debateable, even amongst my group of faithful friends. It is impossible for me to comprehend God being there for a World Series winning hit, but not being just as there in the most vile, and disgusting acts. God was there, too. He did not simply look away.
My view: He has set things up, and offered life everlasting to all. If He's rooting for anything, it's that people would start acting more like the example He gave us.
Alan - August 29, 2006 12:20 pm
You got it. And I think most sports teams should have a good hard look at the Book of Job before we go too far in assessing whether how He is there matches with how we would like Him to be there.
gr - August 29, 2006 12:27 pm
I like looking at it in terms of tennis: God puts the ball in our court, how are we going to play it?
Temujin - August 29, 2006 10:44 pm
GR: that is a fabulous analogy. I reserve the right to pilfer that example whenever I feel it necessary :)
I'm hard pressed to "divinely" explain the World Series victory by the Bosox two seasons ago. They had a stacked team, but were definitely beatable. There were players from at least a couple of religious backgrounds (including Christianity), but none of them were in the limelight boasting about their faith. The Cardinals had (and still have) one the the most talented hitters of our time in Pujols, yet they are still without a World Series victory.
In the same way, the Edmonton Oilers losing game seven was a devastating loss for many Edmontonians.
I'm not inclined to simply say "the stars aligned" (much to the dismay of the Flea, I'm sure!), but I'd like to simply think a group of talented individuals getting paid to play a very cool sport in North America did something remarkable. I'd rather thank my God for the freedom to observe such a spectacle, than thank him for divinely appointing a team to victory.
gr - August 30, 2006 7:40 am
Thanks, I like tennis, and I think the metaphor is helpful. What if God is not pushing our every move and decision? What if instead, (some of us) we are given so much in life, and the question is, what are we going to do with it? Are you going to help others, leaving the world a better place? Isn't that what Jesus had in mind? I often worry that we humans dissappoint a benevolent God, but the point is we have to TRY.
(obviously God was teasing and tormenting the folks in Edmonton because they are sinners.....HA! Not.)