Amidst the intensity of Holy Week for Christians and the joy of Passover for Jews comes the secular festival known as Opening Day. Even as I frantically cleaned my apartment for Passover last night, I dilligently checked the Mets score online every few minutes (remember when local games could all be seen on local broadcast TV?). There’s room for both in my life, and thank God for that.
I’ve written before in Idol Chatter about baseball as a deeply meaningful secular American holiday, and I’ve compared the spiritual lessons of baseball to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Tempted as I am to connect the Exodus from Egypt to the beginning of a new baseball season, I will refrain from any such attempts at theological relevance this year. Instead, amidst personal holiday prep and professional deadlines, I will offer only my thanksgiving that a new season is here, that hope and excitement have returned to the baseball diamond, and that, at a time of war and national anxieties, we can as a nation come together for some diversion and fun, celebrating traditions and finding sheer joy in the game. Play ball!
And Happy Opening Day to you and yours.
posted April 2, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I love baseball. I played little league beginning at age 6. In fact, there was a time during my childhood when I played baseball more than I went to church. Several summers ago, I would go to my church’s 6:30 am service so I could be on the diamond by 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Indeed, I still play baseball. So, I appreciate your post about opening day and the sense of community that baseball provides. p.s. Let’s Go Mets!
posted April 3, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I, myself, am excited about the beginning of baseball season and have posted in my own blog about it. So, I can so relate to all the excitement and love of the game.
posted April 4, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I’ve loved baseball for as long as I can remember, and had the privledge of seeing both of my teams get smoked on Opening Day.
But, in a lesson all of us (including myself) need to remember, there’s always tomorrow. Get back at it and try again. That’s all you can do.