A Cheer from the Urban Canyon

It's rather odd being in NYC today. People are going about their ordinary business, happy to be out on a sunny, somewhat warmer day. No one or two colors stand out. There is no frenzied pace near grocery stores (or places where libations are sold!).

And, notably to yours truly, there was no mention of the Superbowl this morning at Mass (the 11:30 a.m. at Xavier), either in the homily or the prayers of the faithful.

How different from life this Sunday in the 'burgh!

My hunch is that many Pittsburgh priests somehow found a way this morning to integrate the Superbowl into their reflections on the readings.

The last time the Steelers were in the big game, I had a great conversation about the purpose of prayer with the 7th grade religious education class I was teaching at my old parish. Specifically, we discussed whether it was OK to pray for the Steelers. If memory serves, we reasoned it might not be such a bad thing if kept in the right perspective.

Ah, to be in the foothills of the Alleghenies on a Superbowl Sunday when the Steelers are in the game ...

The distance is great. But, from here in the urban canyons of Manhattan, we still will cheer.

Go Steelers!