Games

by Barbara Crafton

Very few games are games alone. Sport has been a vehicle for international rivalry since the Olympics.

Actual war was suspended during the ancient contests, but competition certainly wasn't. Sport carries every excellence and every hostility humanity knows. Like war, it elicits the best and the worst from its participants. The most utter loyalty, the worst violence. The highest straining for excellence, the most win-at-all-costs ruthlessness. It ties love of country to a game and fans it easily into hatred of the opponent's country. It occasions a meeting between political enemies, a temporary truce, but sometimes the truce doesn't hold. Beneath it all, a sludgy sea of money laps at everyone's feet. 

Sometimes you see an athlete make the sign of the cross before a particularly tense play -- before a field goal, before a free throw, before going back into the ring. I am always touched by this. Protect me. Be on my side. Help me win. It is like the psalmist who nakedly begs God to "fight those who fight me" (Ps 35.1). 

Fight those who fight me. It is very human to desire that, more universally human than nice religious people want to think it is. But it is not the only part of our humanity. We are more vengeful than we wish we were, but we are not only vengeful.

Fight those who fight me -- a primitive part of us does, indeed, pray such violent prayer, but a better part also prays, "Make me love as you love. Give me a new heart, your heart, instead of this vengeful one."

We are not doomed to our own violence. We need not be imprisoned by it. We can change ourselves -- first, behavior, then violent hearts will follow, however reluctantly.

God has not only given us example of that new heart, but also the power to approach it. It takes work, prayer, and constant coaching. It requires the longing to be changed. But people have done it. Many people. Anyone can ask for help, then begin.

[COVENANT, Number 19, January 2005]

The Revd Barbara Crafton is a freelance writer, lecturer, retreat leader, and itinerant preacher. Her books and other charms may be found at www.GeraniumFarm.org