As I write, it is the first Sunday in Lent and the NBA All-Star game is about to begin on TV. What a contrast! NBA All-Star weekend is filled with bling, self-promotion, and blatant commercialism. Could this have anything to do with Lenten humility and self-control? Look deeper; the two have more in common than you might imagine.
Jan and I began our Lenten prayers with a reflection by Thomas J. Connery, who writes, "We don't like change. We are at home with our habits, our routines and our lifestyle.... We have made peace with our weaknesses, our shortcomings, our sins.... Before long, we convince ourselves that we are as good as we can be."
You have just read the formula for mediocrity, in any aspect of life. If we believe we are as good as we can be, we are not likely t
o get any better.
The stars of the NBA are constantly trying to improve. Matt Bonner, who placed second in the 3-point shooting contest, was asked how many 3-pointers he shot in practice to reach this level. Bonner is not sure, but the reporter adds, "He thinks 200,000 is a good guess."
But it is not just practice that makes perfect. It is also studying the masters. Kemba Walker and Jrue Holiday are two of the young players honored at All-Star weekend (Walker as a "Rising Star," Holiday as a first-time All-Star.) The coaches of both players have them studying video of the Spurs' all-star point guard, Tony Parker.
As Lent begins, how might you improve your life of faith? Like Matt Bonner, you practice the disciplines of your craft, such as prayer and silence. And like Kemba Walker and Jrue Holiday, you study the ways of the experts. For spiritual life, that may be modern masters like Joan Chittister or Henri Nouwen, or classic spiritual writers like Meister Eckhart or Teresa of Avila.
What will you do this Lent to become as good as you can be?
-- Bill
