Like many Cubs’ fans, I’m sick over their most recent collapse. Now, I know that baseball is just a sport and I am in no way comparing the “suffering” of Cub’s fans to the real suffering that people face in life.
However…
We Cubs’ fans do suffer. Losing makes us sick. And, of course, the Catechism teaches us about illness and suffering:
Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. (1500)
And so, for the 100th year in a row, Cubs fans have been reminded of our powerlessness, our limitations, and our finitude. Yes, each year, we “glimpse death.”
Thanks, Cubs, for keeping us so well-rooted and so well-pre-disposed to grace. The point is well taken.
For some reason, the phrase “beating a dead horse” comes to mind.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Janet 10.06.08 at 9:42 am
Thanks, Joe!
I’m amazed that you can make a theological connection to the futility of millionaire athletes and millions of broken-hearted fans!
Well, as they say… Wait ’til next year!
[Reply]
Ed Lilly 10.06.08 at 10:45 am
I might be willing to be just a LITTLE bit less well-pre-disposed to grace if it meant a Cubs World Series title in my lifetime.
[Reply]
Joe 10.06.08 at 10:46 am
Janet, if the Cubs losing is for our own good (keeping us well-rooted and well-pre-disposed to grace), I wish they would stop being so good to us!
[Reply]
Joe 10.06.08 at 10:49 am
Ed, I too would be willing to make that sacrifice!
[Reply]
Maura Sweeney 10.06.08 at 2:53 pm
As a life long red sox fan I can assure you all that the other thing rooting for a team that causes us to “suffer” disappointment gives us is the gift of hope.
Peace
Maura
[Reply]
Joe 10.06.08 at 3:53 pm
Maura, folks here are not feeling very hopeful but thanks for the kind words!
[Reply]
Maura Sweeney 10.06.08 at 5:13 pm
Hope alsays comes with spring training!
Peace
M
[Reply]
Maura Sweeney 10.06.08 at 5:13 pm
always not “alsays”… tired fingers
[Reply]
Tom Mc Laughlin 10.06.08 at 6:00 pm
I say wait until next century.
[Reply]
Joe 10.06.08 at 8:14 pm
Tom, thanks for being the voice of optimism (NOT!)
[Reply]
Michael Cameron 10.11.08 at 5:15 pm
Joe,
I am reminded of that dearly departed writer and Cub fan of yore, Mike Royko, who anticipated the Catechism long ago when he said that being a Cub fan had moral benefit because it reminded us of the inevitability of death. RIP Cub (and White Sox) dreams, 2008.
[Reply]
Joe 10.11.08 at 8:43 pm
Michael, thanks for invoking Mike Royko, of happy memory!
[Reply]