Well, whether we care to or not, we're probably engaging in some degree of Super Bowl talk this morning. Word on Fire blog contributor Dave Brenner takes a look at the event and wonders what place it has in our lives as Christians. And yes, there is a place.
Last night's game had a bit of everything: an amazing catch by Mario Manningham near the end of play; a Giants player trying *not to score* but failing; and nearly a game-winning drive pulled off by the Patriots. We got to see two of the best QBs in the sport (Eli Manning haters, hold your comments) duel until the last seconds of play. The final score of 21-17 was quite satisfying for someone who didn't have a particular allegiance at the kickoff.
In fact, this was actually one of my first seasons consistently following the NFL. In prior seasons I mostly had just a general sense of the storylines and they went something like this: The Patriots may be the best team ever; Detroit may never win another game; Green Bay fans are nuts; the Chicago Bears are definitely Super Bowl material next year.
Perhaps it’s my new found interest in the game, but this year seemed to bring a refreshing wave of new stories. Take Jim Harbaugh, for example. In his first year as an NFL coach, he took a San Francisco team that was 6-10 last year and made them 13- 3 with no major additions to the team. He was the consensus choice for coach of the year. He renewed my confidence that leadership and vision and expertise can make a difference regardless of how poor your starting point is.
Tim Tebow is another example. Everything to say about him has already been said so I’ll redirect your attention to this article by Rick Reilly. Is it possible that we have found a Christian role model in popular culture? Is it also not surprising that he’s been persecuted as he has?
In my own recollections of the season, I can tell you that there was not an insignificant number of hours spent in front of the TV instead of studying. And there was not an insignificant number of conversations with my sister about her strategy for her fantasy team. Now that the season is over, I wonder: was this a good use of time, energy and attention?
The answer is frustratingly complex: Yes and no. And just how similar is that to the rest of life? Are you glad you took a risk in taking this job even though it didn’t work out? Are you glad you entered this relationship only to have your heart broken? Are you glad you ate those three extra tacos?...
In wrapping up Catholic Schools Week, Word on Fire staffers and contributors share some memories and reflections of our experiences with Catholic education. Tyrannical nuns and uninspired uniforms? Hardly. Think inspiration, dedication and life-altering guidance, today on the Word on Fire blog.
Rozann Carter, WoF Creative Director: My first encounter with formal Catholic education was at the university level when I began my freshman year at Notre Dame. Transitioning from a graduating class of 47 members in a one-stoplight town in rural New Mexico to the sprawling metropolis of South Bend, America, meant that there were "holy moly!" moments occurring quite often for the 18-year-old me ("What? This movie theater has 10 screens? What are these things you call 'pedestrians'? Where is the bonnet store at this mall?"). However, the most significant of these were within this newly-experienced, Catholic educational setting.
Chapels in every dorm, the campus' Grotto constantly glowing with candles representing endless prayers and late-night-study petitions, students gathering for class Masses and small-group rosaries, discussions about things-of-ultimate-importance over a tall cone of fro-yo from the dining hall dessert bar—the environment at ND was the the perfect juxtaposition of the daily-ness of life, relationships, studies, and the task of growing-up, and the transcendent call to lift our hearts and minds to the things of God. Theology was a requirement there; Philosophy filled a couple of spots on every transcript. But, within this comprehensive educational context, theology and philosophy presented themselves as far more than simply disciplines. They infused our prayer, informed our service, gave meaning to our vocational pursuits, and provided the foundation for relationships that will last a lifetime (and one particular Relationship that will take us directly into the next). I'm so grateful for my Catholic education.
Peggy Pandaleon, WoF Marketing Director: Our children did not attend Catholic elementary schools. However, they did attend Loyola Academy, a Jesuit college prep school. The “hidden” value from a Catholic high school is that just at the time your kids are becoming independent and sometimes rebellious, Christian family’s value’s are reinforced by the whole environment of the school. Even though our kids have had questions, drifted a bit and are still making the Faith their own, they have never abandoned Christ.
Kerry Trotter, WoF Content Manager: Candles and Carols, the annual Christmas pageant, was a highlight of our year at Sacred Heart School in Winnetka, Ill. Not only was it a festive showcase of cute little songbirds dressed in our uniformed best, we got to miss class for practice. And the closer we got to the big night, the more class we missed. It was glorious. Practices moved from the school basement music room to the adjacent church, the sounds of children singing about Jesus' birth filling every inch of the sacred space and infusing it with this energetic innocence, as though cherubim had been heaved in with fireplace bellows.
Then someone would throw up...