Its main day of observance is Sunday. Each year, there is one Sunday that is above all of the rest and is “what it’s all about”.
Some participants take it further and join in weekday observances.
Christmas is a time that brings many people together in these rituals, with leaders expressing delight in the numbers from a few weeks ago.
Some people take once-in-a-lifetime trips to some of the oldest and grandest structures where the traditions take place, while others are fortunate to go quite often.
Its participants wear garb so distinctive that you know exactly what it’s from.
There are chants and songs associated with it that some find confusing and others find to be part of the full experience.
Had enough?
Am I talking about the Catholic Church and the Holy Mass or professional football?
You decide.
I’m sure some do without even thinking about it.
The good in the game
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I am a football fan.
When I was young, I collected football cards, not baseball cards.
My earliest image of a leader at the podium on TV may have been that of Forrest Gregg and not Ronald Reagan.
I could probably say “football” before I could say “bicycle”.
Has football even been more important than the Church in my life?
Eh . . .
In my defense, I’ve been to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (seven times) more than I have been to a Packer game at Lambeau Field (twice).
I’ve sometimes missed the start of Super Bowls in order that I could attend Mass on Sunday evenings.
I’ve also never worn a jersey to Mass.
Not that I need to defend myself from anything, but I do have some priorities.
I know many people are against sports and all of the hoopla that surrounds them, but there is a lot of good that comes from the 100-plus-year-old entity known as pro football.
Teamwork, togetherness, and camaraderie are good.
Winning is good — “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.” (1 Cor 9:24).
Preparation, discipline, conditioning, goals, planning, and executing a strategy are all good.
Supporting others, being optimistic in the face of defeat, and learning how to graciously accept said defeat are all good.
Pro football proves that it is possible for us as humanity to find the best in ourselves and use it.
Taking football out into the world
Now, why, oh why, can’t we use this in other things that aren’t football?
Not that football is perfect or a shining example of how to live our lives, but what if we took some of that energy, used it for some good, and used it for more important things?
What if instead of hearing “Who are you watching the game with on Sunday?” we heard “Who are you going to Mass with on Sunday?”
What if we spent as much time learning about the saints each week as some of us do setting a roster for our fantasy football team?
Justin Jefferson or Justin Martyr? Jayden Daniels or the prophet Daniel? CeeDee Lamb or the Lamb of God? Which have more people read about lately?
Could you imagine if Easter Sunday had just a fraction of the energy spent on Super Bowl Sunday?
Super Bowl Media Day may be ridiculous to some extent, but could you imagine an Easter Sunday Media Day as a chance for people to ask questions and be catechized in all areas of the Faith?
These are probably outlandish examples, but there is no reason why we can’t use our best energies and efforts for what’s important.
I know that many people, especially those reading this paper, do make the Faith the center of their lives, but I think the Super Bowl and all the games leading up to it may be getting better ratings.
Going for the win
What’s more important and noteworthy? A fourth quarter comeback in the Super Bowl, or the millions of Masses celebrated on that same day?
Only one of them will be in the papers the next day.
No one is saying stop being a football fan, but if that helps you be a better believer in our Lord and Savior then that sacrifice is totally worth it.
Players and coaches retire, teams leave their cities, but God was, is, and always shall be.
Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers (1959-1967) may have had it right when he allegedly said to think of only three things: Your God, your family, and the Green Bay Packers, in that order (no one can verify the exact quote).
There are probably a few flaws in that statement, but it’s a good enough place as any to start.
At least among those three, don’t put them out of order.
This weekend (I don’t know when Green Bay plays yet), pray, love your family, and watch football, in that order!
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.