Surprised

The initial euphoria generated within the LGBT community by the preliminary document released in connection with the two-week synod of over 200 bishops from around the world to discuss issues facing 21st century Catholic families was short-lived. From a positive “Welcoming homosexuals” section in the initial version, the final title became a more sedate “Pastoral attention toward persons with homosexual orientations.”

The first report used more dogmatic language in affirming that “unions between people of the same sex cannot be considered on the same level as marriage between man and woman.” The final version was a stricter “no grounds whatsoever exist for assimilation or drawing analogies, however remote between homosexual unions and God’s design for matrimony and the family.” Finally, from a more accommodating description that “Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community,” it was changed to a more bland characterization that “men and women with homosexual tendencies should be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Any sign of unjust discrimination in their regard is to be avoided.”

Gay rights groups were disappointed with the apparent turn-around. Notwithstanding Pope Francis’ apparent backing, the traditionalists prevailed over the progressives. Dogma and doctrine seemed to have been prioritized over pastoral need and care. Note that while the crucial paragraphs in the final document received a majority vote, it failed to obtain the 2/3 vote threshold that would have made it more binding. The synod will meet again in a year’s time for further discussion.

Speaking after the vote, Pope Francis commented that he would have been “worried and saddened” had there not been “animated discussions” or if “everyone had been in agreement or silent in a false and acquiescent peace.” As Pope Francis reminded the synod, we should all guard against the “hostile rigidity” of traditionalists as well as “destructive good will” by progressives who wish to effect change at any cost.

Indeed, the fact that the issue was tabled for discussion is an achievement in itself. There seems to be a consensus about the need for new language in respect of the issues related to homosexuality. And change does not happen swiftly in centuries-old institutions. Let us heed the Pope’s final admonition – we should all be open and allow ourselves “to be surprised by God.”

* * *

Underdogs and overdogs:  Belated congratulations to the National University Bulldogs for capturing this year’s UAAP basketball championship, a crown it last held in 1954 or 60 years ago.  It was truly a hard-earned victory as they had to first bite the UE Red Warriors in the battle for fourth place, outpace the top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles twice to make it to the finals and then upended the second-seeded and more experienced FEU Tamaraws to win the championship. The latter leads the league with 19 championships.  And what made the victory sweeter was that it coincided with the 90th birth anniversary of SM patriarch Henry Sy Sr. So what is the moral of the story? There are two suggestions.  First lesson is that of perseverance – try and try until you succeed.  Second lesson is the golden rule – the team that has the gold, rules.

But in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the San Beda Red Lions continues to be the undisputed “overdog.” It convincingly beat the Arellano Chiefs to complete a “five-peat” for its fifth consecutive crown.   

* * *

There is a similar “underdog-overdog” story brewing in the US Major League Baseball World Series. This year’s finalists are the National League’s San Francisco Giants versus the American League’s Kansas City Royals. The Giants are a fabled team with the most of Hall of Fame players in all of professional baseball. They have appeared 20 times in the World Series, winning seven, including two in the last four years. On the other hand, this is only the third fall classic appearance for the Royals and they have won only once in 1985 led by players such as George Brett and Brett Saberhagen. But it has been downhill since then. From 1986 to 2013, they did not qualify to play in the MLB postseason, one of the longest droughts in baseball history. And it only had one winning season (i.e., so they had more losses than wins) from 1995 to 2012.   

Just like NU, the Royals got to the finals through the back door – a wild-card berth (the Giants went through a similar route).  This means that they did not top their respective divisions. ESPN says that this is going to be a mediocre series since the combined wins of both teams (Royals won 89 while the Giants won 88) are the fourth fewest in World Series history. In the regular season, the Royals were only ninth in runs scored and fourth in runs allowed while the Giants were fifth in runs scored and sixth in runs allowed. But then again, the teams seem evenly matched.

Just like NU, the Royals so far have momentum going for them. They have gone 8-0 in the playoffs. They overcame a 7-3 deficit to beat the Oakland A’s in the wild-card game. They then beat the two division champions, the American League-leading 98-game winner Los Angeles Angels and the 96-game winner Baltimore Orioles in straight and convincing fashion. But the Giants have been playing well as well. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road in the wild-card game and then beat the National League-leading 96-game winner Washington Nationals and the 90-game winner St Louis Cardinals. And just like FEU, they are used to the pressure of a championship game.

 So similar to the UAAP finals, it should be a fun series to watch.  ESPN describes it as a showdown of the “just learned how to win” Royals versus the “knowing how to win since 2010” Giants. As of this writing, the best-of-seven series is tied one game apiece.

* * *

“Before God we are all equally wise

and equally foolish.”  – Albert Einstein

* * *

Email: [email protected]