Last night, Mickey and I watched the Warriors game with several of his friends. It was an electrifying experience. It is probably the closest thing to a religious event in today’s post modern, secular society with ginormous sports arena serving as the cathedrals where people congregate to ‘adore’ their teams and express their belief. And there were probably many in that crowd last night who, given a choice between going to mass or watching the game, chose to watch the game.
There was a strong sense of a community coming together to celebrate and give support and joy to their team, the Warriors, and to one another. There was a strong feeling of a unifying bond, very close to love, that pervaded the whole atmosphere. Everyone was a friend and a comrade in a common cause. People gave high fives to one another, even to complete strangers, instantly establishing a common connection. There was a palpable connection between the team on the floor and the crowds in the stands and the galleries. They came clad in the same colors and the same attire. They prayed for and with the Warriors to protect, defend, battle, unite, believe – with these prayers/mantras emblazoned on many a shirt.
Man needs something sublime and mystical to lift him out of his humdrum existence. Early man, primitive though he was, tried to express this need by taking colors from the earth and rocks from the ground to adorn his cave dwelling with petroglyphs. And modern man turns to sporting events to celebrate that eternal human longing to become better, stronger, faster and strive for something higher. Christ revealed to us the reason for the cave man’s drawings and modern man’s fascination with speed and strength. It is a longing for a home we are all dreaming of to finally come to one day.
Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.’
John 14:21-26