FAITH AND THE SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE

ROBERT CAPONE: STORIES FROM USD COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOW THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO RETURN TO DOING WHAT WE LOVE, EVEN IN A TIME WHEN SO MUCH HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY

“I often find myself overwhelmed by gratitude” when swimming, feeling a profound liberty of spirit in the vast space of the sea.

The joy of living in the present moment can be elusive now for the same reasons identified by Albert Camus decades ago: “… the plague forced inactivity on them, limiting movements to the same dull round … that irrational longing to hark back to the past or else to speed up the march of time.” Yet there are those among us who are still doing what they love, even now.

As a chaplain at the University of San Diego, I recently started sharing stories of USD community members through a video series to explore the spirit that grants resilience. The series — titled “A Spirituality of …” — showcases how continued engagement with artistic and athletic pursuits can help keep the enthusiasm alive during this pandemic, and more so, as a way to inspire and connect all of us during these trying times. The messages of these stories can be a benefit to all of us — to find resilience and motivation through this pandemic by doing what we love and finding hope and faith through it all.

Marion, a Division I basketball player, says, “When difficulties in our life come, we have to find a way to respond.” Yoga teaches Aly that no matter what happens, conflict or chaos, we can still breathe. The creation account from Hebrew scripture reveals that “The Lord God formed humanity out of the earth and blew into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). They believe that their breath is the very breath of God, and to become aware of your breathing is to experience your life.

I trust God but need to keep my faith in humanity. Suffocating polarization and the attendant violence harden my heart. I yearn to see the best in humanity, and maybe you do too? The delight of people at play, in the flow of work, or caring for one another is a light shining through our brokenness. Greg’s teaching on physics enriches my image of God as light. Both light and music are waves, electromagnetic and sound, granting effusive luminosity and deep resonance. Meagan’s music echoes in my heart. I am ready to join the song when I see her delight at bringing joy to others.

Paradox, too, often opens into the mystery of God in whom we live, move and have our being. Michael discovers stillness when he runs, just as Olivia finds herself when losing herself in writing a poem. She discovers that the most personal, once shared, is often the most universal. Adam’s understanding of baseball is informed by his faith. He plays third base. Even if he makes a losing error the night before, he shows up the next for a “Total New Day.” “Jesus laid down his life for me,” Adam proclaims, “so that I can live in eternity with him, regardless of what I’ve done in the past, God forgives, so I don’t carry my performance yesterday into today.”

Kenny enjoys swimming in the ocean because he encounters something, someone, greater than himself when he steps into the water, surrendering himself to the powerful ocean. “I often find myself overwhelmed by gratitude” when swimming, feeling a profound liberty of spirit in the vast space of the sea. Sienna aims to bring liberation to the oppressed by evoking empathy as a form of art activism. She seeks to bring clarity through perspective, the interplay between what is revealed and concealed in the foreground and background of her paintings.

Religion grants a vision for the fullness of reality and how we are connected. While we might draw our own lines on the canvas of fresh powder when cross-country skiing, so often we are following in the tracks of those who go before us. Religion is the communal embodiment of our individual spirituality. One thing the exploration and conversations in each episode of the Youtube series “A Spirituality of …” teach me is the centrality of care for ourselves, especially attentiveness to our bodies, that can reveal so much to us.

We might not have the stamina of Eden, who says, “when I play soccer, running up and down that 120-yard field, I feel like I can conquer anything,” but we can still take the first step in returning to something we love or trying a new endeavor. I am amazed at how people who creatively express themselves or exercise with others are really inspired and motivated by their companions. I am also reminded how friendships can develop when we gather around shared interests. Yet the essence of spirituality is being and becoming who you most truly are, doing your own ride. Doing what you love in your own unique way makes you feel alive! Maybe that is why Saint Irenaeus says, “the glory of God is the human being fully alive … and the life of humanity is the vision of God.”

For a look at the “A Spirituality of …” series, you can visit USD’S University Ministry Youtube page. Capone served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Orange before joining the University Ministry team at the University of San Diego, where he is the resident university chaplain in the Alcala Vistas campus housing and the chaplain of the Toreros men’s basketball team.

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