Dear Friends
I have a pastoral problem, a dilemma of my own
making.
Mindful of where I am currently living (San Jose), I
told the congregation on January 9th that I would root for the 49ers
over the Rams. Why? Because the Rams had already clinched a playoff spot, but
the 49ers had to win to make the playoffs. The congregation was pleased by this
act of charity.
And my rooting for the 49ers apparently made the
difference because they won!
Now the Rams and the 49ers are facing off this Sunday,
January 23rd, for a spot in the Super Bowl. This is not the Dodgers
versus the Giants, where I would show no mercy. This is deciding whether to
side with the congregation by cheering for the 49ers, or risking their ridicule
by rooting for the Rams!
On the local news, a fan said, and I quote: “There is
a God, and he loves football, and he loves the 49ers!” “Faithful” and “Faithful
to the Bay” are 49er slogans printed on clothing items as seen above.
I try not to mix politics with religion but now I am
being forced to mix sports with religion!
I think the best and safest way to proceed is to
acknowledge that while against the backdrop of eternity it doesn’t matter who
wins this Sunday, we can all rally around Romans 12:15 which says, “Rejoice
with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
To be honest, I’d like to rejoice with the Rams. Just
don’t tell the congregation, lest they run me out of town and back to Southern
California, halfway into my temporary assignment.
John
P.S. Did the 49er’s get permission from the Angels to
add those wings to the shirt?
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