I was so positive I would be writing about something totally different this week. I was ready to write about the joy, the blessing, the relief, the patience, the fulfilled anticipation and yes, the World Series victory of my beloved Dodgers…but alas, I must write about the opposite, the sadness, the heartbreak, the frustration, the waiting and the loss of another World Series of my beloved Dodgers…but I do get to use the word “alas” which is of some consolation, I guess.

In many ways I grew up with the sadness, heartbreak, frustration, waiting and hope during my early years of Dodger love…the ’74 loss to the Oakland A’s, the dual cruelty of the ’77 and ’78 losses to the team that may not be mentioned in addition to all the losses in the NL pennant games. And yes there were good times too, the revenge over that team in ’81 and then against the A’s in ’88…. then the waiting, the bad teams and finally the loss in seven to a team I didn’t like when they played real baseball in the National League and like even less that they now play in the junior circuit. But a loss is a loss and I will repeat once more: “Spring will come and hope will bloom again in my little boy heart and the blue of Dodger blood will continue to run through my veins.”

One of the things you could clearly see in the fateful 7th game was the tightness of the team and players. They were clutching the bat a little tighter, they gripped the ball a little harder, the fluidity of the defense seemed to be jerky and without instinct at times…it is what happens when you begin to think too much and not allow the natural joy of the game to flow through the body.

In many ways it can mirror the lack of trust as we doubt we are good enough and maybe God’s plan for us will be the best plan. Fr. Jonathan Morris in his book “Light in the Darkness” shares with us snippets of the wisdom and faith of Fr. James Keller, M.M. the founder of The Christophers, Fr. Keller writes this story, “One day a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone, but he couldn’t budge it. His father, passing by, stopped to watch his efforts. Finally he said to his son: “Are you using all your strength?” “Yes, I am,” the boy cried, exasperated. “No,” the father said calmly, “you’re not. You haven’t asked me to help you.”…When we are attempting a task— big or small— we would do well to stop for a moment and pray, in all humility, for God’s help.” (p 161)

I think what Fr. Keller is trying to relate is that by seeking help from the “father” we are able to relax and accomplish great things because we are working in unison with the Father who knows our gifts and talents and strengthens them in the struggles of life. Because our life, when we are seeking the spiritual a corporal actions to build the kingdom of God and to do the work of the Lord, we can often begin to grip our faith a little tightly, clutch at our prayers a bit harder and begin to become herky-jerky in what should be a fluid movement of the service of love to those around us.

When we truly ask God for help then the grace given becomes the joy of playing within the field of the God’s holy creation. If we can do this, then we relax and allow the goodness God created us in and to be to shine through as we see the pitches of the devil and refuse to swing, where our prayers become less labored as we toss them back and forth in a game of catch with God and where we react with natural and gracious love in service of the other.

Certainly God doesn’t care about who won the World Series (if that were the case I’m sure he would have answered my prayers) but rather God desire that we use all our gifts, athletic or other, to give Him glory. To be attentive, to practice and grow our gifts is the true sign of love and then relax, give glory and play/pray.

God Bless
Fr. Mark