The moving moment was in reading the article in Sports Illustrated called "A Different Kind of Perfect."  This involves the story of Detroit Tiger pitcher, Amando Galarraga, a week or so ago being one out away from a perfect game (there have been a total of 21 in major league baseball history), which means meeting 27 batters (9 innings x 3 outs) and getting them all out.  Only 21 in the history of baseball.

One out away from the perfect game the umpire, Jim Joyce, calls a runner safe at first when after the protest of the manager, the crowd, and seeing the replay, it appeared he was safe.  These calls cannot be changed since instant replay is not used in these instances to decide if a call should be overridden. 

The response of Galarraga?  He smiled.  Never said a sour word to the ump.  Never protested at all.  He gets the last batter out and the game is over. 

After the game is over Joyce reviews the call in the umps room - looks at it once, knows he was wrong, and agonizingly admits to the reporters that he has just blown the biggest call of his life.  He is told Galarraga wants to talk to him, so he makes his way to him.  Galarraga hugs him reassuringly and listens to Joyce's tearful, "Lo siento" (I'm sorry). You were perfect, I was not."  Galarraga said he didn't feel bad for himself - he felt bad for Joyce.  And there has been nothing but love and appreciation for each other since.

This is grace being poured out on us all, who tend to fight for our "rights" and do not forgive anything.  Of course there is talk about whether the instant replay should be used to prevent something like this.  It probably will be, but I say, leave this incident alone.  Let it be as sacred and full of grace as it is.  Joyce and Galarraga have both been incredibly blessed through this incident (and I'm not talking about the Corvette General Motors gave Galarraga the next day).  They have been allowed to be channels of grace and rich spiritual blessing to the world.  What is better than that?  Isn't that what we all long for, when we are in our right minds?

What does really matter, anyway?  Is there an invitation in this to again surrender that which we so closely hold as our "right?"  Is it ok if God uses injustice through which to make known his mercy?

"God I forget sometimes that in the process of working for justice, which you love, I lose sight of mercy, which you love more.  Help me to never make any injustice to me the reason for closing up to the Mercy that longs to flow through my heart to heal the world, just a little bit.  Amen"

I work with individuals, couples, and families to identify the ways of life and death in their lives and help uncover the motivation to choose that which leads to life, whether it be through counseling or spiritual direction.  - Sheldon Swartz, MA/LMFT