Baseball and Faith
Recently, I was at a Pirates game against the New York Yankees. Interestingly, it wasn’t any particular play which caught my attention but rather an advertisement. The right field screen on the Clemente Wall showed the following words for several innings: “Jesus still believes with two outs in the 9th. Hegetsus. com.”
I had one question cross my mind, “What is the message really trying to say?”
I then took a closer look at the website - Hegetsus.com. Clearly, the advertisement desires for the viewer to consider how Jesus is relevant to our lives (which I agree with wholeheartedly). The website also stresses how Jesus knows our pains, aches, sufferings, struggles, and failures (I couldn’t agree more). The webpage then states, “Given today’s increasingly divisive and mean-spirited world, we’re all seeking something better.”
Here is where I became irritated…the website consistently describes Jesus as a mere human who is tolerant and accepting of everything. As a result, we should be like Jesus and be tolerant and accepting of everything. This is an incredibly warped view of Jesus Christ.
First of all, Jesus is not only human but also divine. In other words, He is God. The problem with a “Hegetsus.com” type of emphasis which only stresses the humanity of Jesus is that He becomes reduced to a mere moral teacher. As a result, Jesus has a few nice lessons about life like many other great figures throughout history. We can all pick and choose what we like. Even better, Jesus won’t be too demanding and certainly won’t step on anyone’s toes. It completely undermines the sheer magnitude and authority of Jesus Christ who is God.
Second, do tolerant people who are accepting of everything get crucified? The Roman Empire loved tolerant people who were accepting of ev erything because they didn’t rock the boat, Cae sar remained in charge, and money poured into Rome.
Clearly, Jesus ruffled feathers and He irritat ed both the Pharisees and Romans alike. Maybe Matthew 21:12-13 is worth another read. Jesu enters the temple and sees money chang ers who turned God’s house into a den of thieves. He then flips over tables and seats. Tolerant? Accepting of everything
Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus prevents he from being stoned by pointing out the flaws of the selfish men around her Then, Jesus says to her, “Neither do condemn you.” Tolerant? Accepting? Wel sure, but the story doesn’t end here. Je sus goes another step and says to her “Do not sin again.” He draws a line in the sand because He is not tolerant and accepting o everything but rather desires the greatest good for her.
I understand the initial emphasis of welcom ing and embracing individuals but it cannot stop there. Instead, it must move forward to disciple ship according to the demands of Jesus Christ. I must respond to “follow me” and “sin no more and “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Nothing irritates me more than a reduction o Jesus to a mere reflection of a cultural preference The Gospel sets us free as opposed to us sinner (including myself) setting limits on the Gospel The Gospel should never be diminished nor re duced to a mere cultural agenda.
-
Fr. Ben Daghir is a priest for the Diocese of Erie from St Marys, PA. He played pitcher for the Elk Catholic Crusaders in 2010-2011 and coached SM Little League for 4 years. Ben was a pitcher for the 2009 St. Marys Senior League State Champion ship team. His favorite team is the Pittsburgh Pirates and favor ite baseball player is Tim Lincecum.