In this week of Thanksgiving, I would like to begin with the last paragraphs of Ned Coletti’s book “The Big Chair” where he writes, “The lovers of baseball and sports have also earned a tip of the cap—a standing ovation. Without fans there are no games for pay, no sports careers to work toward, no fun and games in the toy department of life… I look back on in awe while I look forward to the chapters of life to come. None of it is possible without the unfailing grace and majestic blessings from God. With respect, immense gratitude, and deep love.” (p 422-423)
I offer you this short quote because it focuses us on what is most important.
We must have love…for baseball, for life, for one another. It is important to give thanks for this love. Our passions and loves direct us toward a greater good and a joy-filled life where we learn to share these passions with others. I remember sitting in the stands of the Savanah Braves stadium as a young Marine with Rick cheering on the game. Neither of us interested in the Atlanta Braves or their farm system but both of us sharing a love of the game. Or as a young man watching the Seattle Mariners with Carl in the Kingdome, one of the worst places to enjoy a game to be played outside. Often with only a few thousand people echoing about the huge expanses, but sharing a beer and stories of life and baseball.
We must be thankful to others for what we share…without others (the fans) baseball while still fun becomes less than it could be but with others it becomes a life-giving moment in time where we see a future and hopefulness in the next player, the next child, the next relationship of grace. To be thankful of life around us, the small moments of joy for the “next” moments of encounter in life.
We must have awe…I think in our technological society we are in awe of what things can do but seldom in awe of the person who helps and serves our growth into the person God is calling us to be in life. We become thankful for the little miracles that begin to surround us and share these miracles in awe because they unite us with God in so many different aspects of life. Awe draws us closer to greatness and draws from us the joyous truth of being created for the better, the greater the more holy in life.
We must take time….acknowledging our past, present and future as the shapers of our lives where the experiences we share form the hopes of what will be in the world. It is the disappointments of the fall darkness transformed into the bright hope of spring time and a new season. It is honoring and loving the grandeur and disappointments of the past and at the same time letting go to embrace the unknown and hopes of a future where dreams are born into the reality of goodness.
We must live in gratefulness…God’s unfailing grace surrounds us and supports us even in the difficult autumns of life. Gratefulness and gratitude remind us of the fragility of life and love and how we are invited to daily take up that love (the cross) and follow him who is our God. It is in gratitude sharing the gifts we have, whether it is a 98 mile-per-hour fastball or simple works of mercy, each gift brings blessings to those who share in the awe-inspiring joy and love of life. The call to be grateful is one of stewardship of time, the most precious gift we can share, for we do not know the hour or the time, but we trust in the eternal gift of life that will be offered if we simply love.
My prayers for each of your at this time of Thanksgiving is to share life in joyful abundance and to offer a word and gift of love to all you encounter in life.
God Bless
Fr. Mark