Basketball and Blessings

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:06 am by Faithful Democrats

Basketball and Blessings 2013-05-09T06:06:52-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In this economy, more people in the United States and around the world are going hungry. It’s not that the good people are winners and the bad people are losers. Who is affected seems not to be a matter of skill or blessing, but of fate or chance. Layoffs strike randomly and cuts in pay have a greater impact on those with lower incomes.

It’s the time of year that America is engrossed in NCAA March Madness. Whether it’s President Obama betting on his favorite teams or the members of my church cheering on our local Cal Bears, there seems to be basketball everywhere.

For the young people in our community, March is also a big basketball month. Each March, our church’s youth teams make their annual trek up to the annual Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church basketball tournament.

In the world of basketball, there are winners and losers. The game is ostensibly fair, but often the outcome is determined by luck and factors out of our control. A star point guard is injured, a referee is biased, or we just don’t have the talent to beat the competition.

Recently, in addition to talking about basketball, the youth at my church have also been talking about world hunger. Last weekend, we participated in the 30 Hour Famine, a program sponsored by the non-profit organization World Vision. The purpose of the 30 Hour Famine is for youth to fast and raise money to combat hunger.

This week, I will be giving the children’s message at church. The scripture reading is from Luke, chapter 6. It is the famous verses in which Jesus says to his disciples: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. / Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. / Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” I will be talking to our kids about basketball, and the importance of knowing that God blesses the losers just as much as he does the winners.

I believe that this philosophy is central to our response to this economic crisis, as Christians and as Democrats. We must be a voice that reminds our communities that God is still here no matter how bad things are. We also must work with our government and neighbors take action in service to the needs of those who find themselves poor, hungry, and weeping in this time of economic crisis.

Featured Writers

Previous Post

March 24, 2009

A President Versus A Wizard

Next Post

March 30, 2009 Creator and Creation

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Jesus' earthly father, who was a carpenter, was named what?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Zechariah Joseph Jacob Jonathan