“Three things in human life are important: the first, to be kind; the second, to be kind; and the third, to be kind.”
-Henry James, American Author (1843-1916)
From the Heights of Hockey to Holy Ground
As a long-time and avid hockey fan of our ‘hometown’ Pittsburgh Penguins, I was recently offered an invitation to sit in one of the 66 private boxes in the Consol Energy Center on Friday, February 22, when the Pens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1. I jumped at the invitation! There are 66 boxes at the arena to honor the long-time Captain of the Pens, Mario Lemieux. Aloft a perched view, and looking down at the ice where the Pens shoot twice, I took in every moment of the practice prior to the game. From that vantage point, you can easily see the HD center ice scoreboard, which is the focal point of high tech entertainment. There are 360 degree rings that encircle the lower and upper seating bowls, making it a first of its kind seating experience for Pittsburgh!
There was a parking pass that accompanied the tickets that allowed easy accessibility from the Verizon gate to level 4 of the arena. As the usher escorted us into the box, he explained all the delights and privileges that go along with this preferred seating. He opened the door of the refrigerator, revealing a wide array of beverages: iced tea, lemonade, pop, beers, wine and bottles of water. There, on top of the tables were select cheeses, popcorn, nachos, potato chips and the like. There was an expansive selection of fruits such as kiwi, pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries and grapes, which were deliciously refreshing to our thirsty palates.
We were treated to a chef-prepared buffet, kept warm on hot plates, which consisted of chicken, pork, sausage and other choice meats. Since it was Friday, and I’m a Catholic priest, the hosting couple contacted the Pens to make sure fish was available and on the menu, too! I appreciated them going to these lengths for Catholics on a Friday night. I was appreciative of the lay leaders back home at St. Joseph who led the Stations of the Cross, where there were about 100 people in attendance. While they were praying the Stations, I was praying for the Pens!
There were 12 guests in the box, who all worked together at the same company. I was proud to be part of the mix of their friends and coworkers. They introduced me as their priest and spiritual advisor. I always liked that the late Fr. James Armstrong was the Chaplain of the NHL and knew all the Penguins through their long hockey careers. Part of the box was like the sunshine state of Florida, and was very warm. The lower part, however, was more like Fairbanks, AK, where my friend, Bishop Don Kettler lives—a bit more ‘arctic’. I found myself oscillating between the arctic climate to watch the game, and the warm climate so to mingle and talk with the guests. It was a nice mix! Sitting in the large blue seats was like sitting in the first class section of a large aircraft.
In the 3rd period, a cart arrived displaying the finest desserts: cheesecake, chocolate mousse, different layered cakes and candies. That was the ultimate in Lenten temptation. I must confess that I passed on the dessert cart and went back to my popcorn and chips. The whole night was a victory all the way around. The only downer was the center iceman, Evgeni Malkin, the Pen’s Russian star, going down with concussion like symptoms after being knocked against the boards. It was a hockey fan’s dream, which I didn’t want to end.
As I walked through the corridors of the lounge, and saw the legends off Penguins’ hockey and all their accomplishments, as a long-time devotee of the team, it was a profound and peak experience, an unforgettable moment and a time I will not soon forget. From that vantage point of being in a ‘watch tower,’ it made me think that prophets must see the world from a different perspective. Faith is the ‘prism’ from which we see all the facets and pieces of our lives coming together. We think of all the players in the game of our lives: our prophets and parents; our teachers and pastors as our brothers and sisters; friends and neighbors; colleagues and coworkers; parishioners and faith companions. Each are an integral part of the path to our own holiness. As the Israelite leader, Moses stood before the burning bush that would not extinguish, we are reminded of the gift of faith, and how it must always light the path for others. Like Moses, we are on ‘holy ground.’ We have holy time, holy friends and holy hands, in which to offer holy prayers to God. When we walk on holy ground, we are aware of God’s loving presence. We carry the ‘burning bush’ in our hearts: the fire of the Holy Spirit. May it be with the 25 young people confirmed this weekend. May it lead them in their decisions and relationships to futures of faith and hope.
I appreciate God calling me to preach His Good News, when sometimes the bad news of life can distort our perspective of faith. No life is immune from disease, violence, tragedy, accidents or loss. God continues to plant us in the midst of opportunities, to move beyond our hurts and pains, to make things right. God is constantly giving us second chances to bear fruit. During this season of Lent we are invited, challenged and encouraged to be more faithful and fruitful. Each of us has a mission to do the will of God on earth. The parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:1-9), reminds us that our God is faithful and patient. He wants us to continue to till, garden and hoe the soil of our hearts in the time that we have, through the circumstances and conditions of our lives that compel us to change more and more into His image and likeness. But we must ‘cut out’ the barrenness of sin that leaves us empty, for cut off from God, we are fruitless and useless, like the barren fig tree. But attached to God, we are fruitful and life-giving. We must therefore embrace Christ’s call to be fruit-bearing, through forgiveness, compassion, conversion, reconciliation and love, which gives witness to our faithful discipleship. We continue to be a ‘work in progress’ and God’s grace calls us to new heights of goodness.
May we continue to bear the sweet fruit of the Gospel by living faithfully, and humbly, in the vineyard of the world that God has entrusted to us for the coming of His Kingdom. As the Pens look to lift Lord Stanley for the 4th time this Spring, help us to lift high the Cross for our brothers and sisters.
