A couple of weeks ago as I entered my office I saw the above image sitting on my chair. Almost everyone knows who Vin Scully is and his place within the culture of the United States. Our pastoral associate at St. Lucy, Andrew Brown, gave this memento to me, a Dodger fan (please forgive me), knowing that it would be cherished and honored in my life.
Of course there is the rivalry aspect of the Giants and Dodgers that comes into play as often the good natured banter and ribbing of each teams fan base which takes place as the ups and downs of the season occur as the pennants, world championships as well as the disappointments and losses break the hearts of the fans. Generally it is good-natured and most fans take in stride the abuse shared as the cheering for your team can become a little bit vociferous and obnoxious at times. There are also times when, sadly, the good natured-ness of the rivalry can step over what should be expected and hoped for in a sports rivalry.
The respect and honor between two rivals is necessary and helps to grow greater respect and joy in rooting for the home team. This comes about because as we know better the team we hope fails we know with a deeper and greater passion the team, which we love. It is the ability to sit in conversation, that may look a little bit like a argument, where we discover that the deep passions that unite us to our favorite team (the Dodgers) actually connect us in a wonderful and graceful way to those delusional souls who have a different favorite team (such as the Giants) for what ever strange reason.
With all fun aside, and sports and being a fan of a team should be fun, it is the respecting and honoring of others in all parts of our life that is at the heart of relationships and the greater community. It has become very apparent during this political season that the ability to listen, share and debate issues of great importance and which many people of strong opinions have become more about the destruction of the other person than about refuting the idea or position held. One of the greatest and most powerful symbols of this was at the end of the final presidential debate this week where the candidates, in an intentional and planned moment, refused to shake hands at the end of their debate. Why they chose not to take that small moment to recognize the other is puzzling and troubling.
It is the choosing to recognize the other person as worthy of respect, even of a handshake, that is at the center how we are called to be as sons and daughters of the living God. I understand deeply held political, social and religious views that many people have because I too have deeply held beliefs that I will passionately defend and argue about with others. And I understand the religious, social and political beliefs are more important than any sports fandom, but ultimately we can learn from the field of competition and respecting each other. People always point to the end of hockey series, when the two opposing teams line up, winners and losers, to shake the hand of the other or after a soccer match where the teams walk to each other to share a word of sportsmanship after highly contested matches.
Ultimately, it is recognizing the dignity of the other, even in our disagreements and passionate beliefs, which bind us together and help to build respect and community. The next few weeks leading up to the election will bring more opportunities to refuse to shake the hand of the others in our life. Whatever candidate or issue you may support or oppose it is important that we seek to hear and, while we may disagree, respect the others in life. So don’t forget, as we hear the many arguments, to reach out and shake the hand and look the other in the eye and recognize that we are all children of God.
God Bless
Fr. Mark