Compare and Contrast:
The Super Bowl and the Mass, Football and Faith
Msgr. Charles Pope / February 1, 2015
http://blog.adw.org/2015/02/compare-and-contrast-super-bowl-and-the-mass-football-and-faith/
I write to you in the midst of a semi-“religious”
event: the Super Bowl. People have donned their
sacred attire and are shouting praises. I enjoy
football, but see it a lot less than most since I’m a
priest and tend to be busy on Sundays! Yet I
remain quite fascinated at how passionate and
dedicated many Americans are to their team and
to the game.
Would that more Catholics had the same
dedication to the Mass and the Church that true
football fans have to the game. (Fan is short for
fanatic.) Would, too, that all priests and religious
had the same sacrificial dedication that football
players have.
Consider for a moment the players. They spend
years coming up through a system of high
school, college, and professional levels. Priest
and religious do as well. Football players give
their all to the game; their whole life is centered
on it. Exhausting, year-round practice, weightlifting, and punishing games. They risk injury and
suffer many pains, all for the game. Do priests
and religious show the same dedication? Are
they willing to make the same kind of sacrifices
for Jesus? Will they risk injury and attack? I pray
we will and do, but I wonder. True, we are not
paid millions, but we don’t do it for the money.
Are we as dedicated and sacrificial?
And what of the faithful? So many Catholics are
dedicated to the game of football. They even
come to Church wearing the jersey of their team,
often sporting someone else’s name on their
back! Let’s compare and contrast some of the
aspects of football and see if the same thrill and
dedication are exhibited for our Lord, the Mass,
and the Church.
Disclaimer – I write a lot of this “tongue in
cheek.” I am not brooding over this, just
observing. I am also using a technique known as
hyperbole. Hyperbole uses exaggeration to make
a point. For example the phrase, “There must
have been a million people there” is an
exaggeration that is not literally true but does
convey the idea that a lot of people were
present. Please take these comparisons in the
light-hearted manner in which they are intended.
That said, the point remains a serious one: we
often exhibit unusual priorities when it comes to
worldly vs. spiritual matters. We do well to look at
ourselves with humor in order to ask God for
greater passion for what matters most. Football
is about a bag full of air going up and down a
field. Faith is about our eternal destiny.
Consider the following Super Bowl behaviors
and contrast them to Mass and the faith:
Super Bowl – Many fans prepare for the game
for weeks. They follow the playoffs, review stats,
and listen to commentaries and predictions. They
make sure they are “up on” the game.” At a bare
minimum, they know who is playing, and usually
a great deal more. They often plan parties and
invite others to join them. They discuss with
fellow fans their wishes and the likely outcome of
the game. They often boast of their team and
loudly proclaim their intent to watch the game
and see their team emerge victorious! They
anticipate the game and look forward to it
joyfully.
Mass – Little preparation is evident on the part
of most who go to Mass. Generally, they do
not review the readings or spiritually prepare
by frequent confession. Fasting has disappeared from the Catholic landscape. In fact,
¾ of Catholics don’t go to Mass at all. And even
of those who do, many don’t anticipate it joyfully. Many even dread going; they try to “fit it in” at
the most convenient time and hope for the
shortest possible Mass. This is true even on the
great feasts like Christmas, Easter, and Holy
Week. Most Catholics do not talk to others
about going to Mass or invite them to join them.
Super Bowl – Many fans wear special clothes
for the occasion, even at regular-season football
games. They wear jerseys, hats with insignias,
and other “sacred” apparel. Some even paint
their faces and bodies.
Mass – Sacred apparel for Mass is all but gone.
There isn’t much special attire and little care is
given to display one’s faith through clothing or
other marks of faith. Sunday clothes were once
special. Women wore hats and veils; men wore
suits and ties and would never dream of
wearing a hat into Church. But all that is gone.
“Come as you are” seems to be the only rule.
Super Bowl – People who go to football games
often spend hundreds of dollars for tickets.
Those who are fortunate enough to go to the
Super Bowl spend thousands, gladly. Those
who stay home often spend a lot of time and
money on parties.
Mass – Most Catholics give on average 5-7
dollars per week in the collection plate. Many
are resentful when the priest speaks of money.
Super Bowl – Most fans arrive early for the
game, and do so eagerly. At regular-season
games, many have tailgate parties. Fans at
home joyfully anticipate the kick off and spend
time in preparatory rites such as parties and
beer. Even ordinary games find the fans
watching pre-game shows and gathering well
before the kickoff.
Mass – Many Catholics time their arrival for just
before the Mass begins. Many—as high as 50%
—arrive late. Arriving early to pray or to greet
fellow worshippers is generally not something
that is planned for.
...
Super Bowl – Many fans sing team songs.
Here in Washington we sing, “Hail to the
Redskins, Hail victory! Braves on the warpath!
Fight for ol’ D.C.!”
Mass – Most Catholics don’t sing.
Super Bowl – Even a normal football game
lasts four hours including the pre- and postgame shows. Toward the end of each half, the
game is often intentionally slowed down; incomplete passes stop the clock, etc. Fans gladly
accept this slowdown and are even happy and
excited if the game goes into overtime.
Mass – Frustration and even anger are evident
in many of the faithful if Mass begins to extend
beyond 45 minutes. Some people even begin to
walk out. Many leave right after Communion
even if the Mass is “on time.”
Super Bowl – Fans understand and accept the
place of rules and expect them to be followed.
Often they are angry when they are broken or
when penalties are not called. They respect the
role of the referee and the line judges and, even
if they are unhappy, accept the finality of their
judgments. They seem to understand that a
recognized and final authority is necessary for
the existence of the game.
Mass – Some Catholics resent rules and routinely break them or support those who do.
They also resent Church authorities who might
“throw a flag” or assess a penalty of any sort.
Often they do not respect bishops or the authority of the Church. Many refuse to accept that
recognized and final authority is necessary
for the existence of the Church. Many Catholics
resent pointed sermons at Mass in which the
priest speaks clearly on moral topics. Praise
God, many Catholics are faithful and respect
Church authority. Sadly, though, others do not.
Super Bowl – Many who go to a football game
endure rather uncomfortable conditions for the
privilege: hard seats, freezing cold, pouring rain.
Often the game is hard to see and the sound
system is full of echoes. Still the stadium is full
and few fans complain.
Mass – Many complain readily at any inconvenience or discomfort. It’s too hot; it’s too cold; the
Mass times aren’t perfectly to my liking. Why
aren’t the pews cushioned? (They’re harder to
keep clean, that’s why.) Why wasn’t the walk to
my usual door shoveled clear of snow? When will
the sound system be better? Why do they ask me
to move to the front in an empty Church?
OK, that’s enough. Remember, I use hyperbole
here and intend this in a lighthearted manner. We
humans are funny, and what we get excited about
is often humorous. The truth is, people love their
football. But this one point is serious: would that
we who believe were as passionate as football
fans. We need to work at this on two levels.
Mass Intentions
6:00 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
5:30 pm
6:30 am
12:10 pm
6:30 am
12:10 pm
7:00 pm
6:30 am
12:10 pm
6:30 am
Clergy and Church leaders need to work very 12:10 pm
hard to ensure that the liturgy of the Church is all
that it should be. High-quality, sacred music,
good preaching, and devout and pious celebra- 6:30 am
tion are essential. Perfunctory, hurried liturgy
12:10 pm
with little attention to detail does not inspire.
The faithful, too, must realize more essentially
what the Mass really is and then ask God to
anoint them with a powerful and pious awareness
of the presence and ministry of Jesus Christ.
They must ask for a joy and zeal that will be
manifest on their faces, in their deeds, and in
their dedication.
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5:30 pm
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requested by a friend.
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Turlak and Tomcczyszyn families; requested
by Paul and Joyce Turlock.
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