Blog #4

Jaime Hynes

The poem “The Church of Michael Jordan” by Jeffery McDaniel makes the game of basketball into a metaphor for the Church and for faith according to the author. He compares the hoop to God’s outstretched arms and says the ball is an “orange prayer” that he is offering to God. All of the players playing defense on the author serve as temptations and obstacles “between me and the Lord’s light.” McDaniel continues to judge the way priests look for public affirmation and do not focus their attention on “leading with their feet” and “teaching by example”, much like Jesus once did. Then, at the end of the poem, the author describes the shot into the basket and how the Lord’s truth is visible to the audience, who will swear they witnessed a miracle. He also mentions that this shot converts the nonbelievers, who also take form as the opposing team playing defense.

This elaborate metaphor for faith offers a clear image of the intensity and suspense of a basketball game and how difficult it is for players to make a shot into the hoop with all of the distractions in their way. This metaphor can be relatable for the reader no matter what their faith might be because the craziness of life will always serve as an obstacle or temptation, as McDaniel describes it. This metaphor also supports his claim that priests should “work in disguise” rather than look for public affirmation because he describes God and prayer in a very everyday situation, a basketball game. He shows that he is using his actions, not words, to pursue and further his faith. Through his actions, he claims the “Lord’s truth” is visible and the audience and players who may be nonbelievers will be moved to convert and start to believe.

Reading this poem at this point in my life is interesting because we are currently in the middle of Holy Week, but also in the middle of a pandemic and possibly one of the deathliest weeks of that pandemic. There is a sort of depressing irony in these two events occurring at the same time and many faithful people might be questioning why this is happening. The answer to this question, like many questions people have during this time, is very unclear. However, this poem reminded me of what is most important about any faith, which is to lead by example and use your actions to live out your faith. This concept has been so relevant in our world today as we see health care workers putting their health and the health of their loved ones at risk, in order to help patients and our country and world at large. I always get upset watching the interviews and videos of these people working so hard to fight what seems like a never-ending battle.

Not only are the health care workers a perfect example of expressing faith through action, but it is also visible in the actions of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help out during this time. For example, my uncle has been supporting local businesses and buying food for the workers at multiple different hospitals and health centers. His generosity during this stressful time is inspiring to me and hopefully to others who see or are impacted by his actions. Another example I’ve seen is the many people who are working to make masks for hospitals and health care centers that are running low on supplies. My mom is a second-grade teacher and one of her students just learned to sew, so she has been actively making masks and donating them. Another example I’ve experienced is the surprise drive-by birthday party my dad and I planned for my mom’s 50^th this past Saturday. The love she felt from all of her new friends, old friends, family, colleagues, and even her students that drove by that day to simply say happy birthday was incredible. It’s truly a moment I will never forget, and I’m sure she won’t forget it either. During this difficult time, it is extremely important that everyone does their part by not only following the rules of social distancing but making sure that everyone is doing okay and feels supported and loved.