Praised be Jesus Christ! I learned more during my years of teaching than I ever did during the many years I spent as a student. For example, I came to realize that the hardest times for kids to learn are the day after Christmas break (especially if it lands on January 2 nd) and the day after the Super Bowl. Given that this Sunday is Super Bowl LI, let’s pray for all the teachers who will soon be facing students who gorged themselves on junk food and were over stimulated the night before! Now football is just a game and a very violent one at that. Before delving into things we can learn about human nature from the Super Bowl, let’s pause and think about how our “need” for NFL stimulation puts a lot of grown men in harm’s way. Maybe you’ve seen the film “Concussion” starring Will Smith . . . . the movie makes the point that people have a right to know the risks of playing football. One of the best quotes from the movie makes this connection: “It sort of reminds me of the tobacco companies, pre-90s, when they kept saying, ‘No, there’s no link between smoking and damage to your health or ill health effects.’ And they were forced to admit that that was incorrect, through a spate of litigation in the 1990s.” Yes, we have a right to know the risks of things, but that is not always an absolute deterrent. For the record (and I’m sorry Mom if you’re reading this article), had I the chance to do it all over again, I would still play high school football because I loved it so much. Just the same, more and more football players are reconsidering the risks of the game and deciding that it’s just not worth it and one wonders if this trend might continue. And while the Super Bowl is still the most popular event on the planet, the NFL no doubt is aware that they’ve hit the apex of their popularity and already the inevitable decline has begun. Soccer is ascendant in America and it remains to be seen how its influence challenges the hitherto unrivaled position of professional football. Okay, enough theoretical speculation, let’s talk about what’s at stake this weekend. First of all, Matt Ryan has been practicing for two weeks with a deflated football, so he’ll be ready for any and all shenanigans that the Patriots might be considering. Secondly, the halftime show is something you ought to censor because Lady Gaga is the heir apparent to pop diva Madonna. Both of them are Catholic, but you might not guess that from their irreverence and immodesty. But let’s not judge; we can say a “Hail Mary” for them (actually, you’d have time for 2 or 3 decades of the Rosary if you skip the entirety of the half time entertainment). The commercials on Super Bowl Sunday are rightfully famous and sometimes they come up with clever and inspiring advertisements. Just the same, the big money spent on these 30-60 second spots is to convince you to part with some of yours, so laugh but be vigilant. And speaking of money, the amount that will change hands through betting this weekend is absolutely staggering. Not that a friendly wager once in a while isn’t called for . . . . I’m betting that Father Sedlacek cannot preach for less than 10 minutes this weekend. If you’re at Christ the King, please let me know who won!
May God bless us in our pursuit of happiness, that it may always include acts of faith, hope, and love!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
May God bless us in our pursuit of happiness, that it may always include acts of faith, hope, and love!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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