There’s been a ton of internet ink spilled on the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics. The best take I’ve seen is Simcha Fisher’s, “The Table Where You Sit.”
The giant “ah, you’re overreacting” vs. “this is blasphemy” argument ignores the reality. Neither argument addresses the other person, but merely reflects the side of the person speaking.
“I like this, so you must be overreacting.” “I hold this sacred, therefore this is blasphemy.” The arguments disregard that people are allowed to overreact and to consider their actions not an overreaction. People likewise, can reference cultural artwork, both sacred and not, for their own purposes –it’s what makes art both powerful and important.
I missed the controversy until after it happened, but thought the fashion show looked like most fashion shows –deliberately weird and unwearable by humans who like food. Overall, the opening ceremony reflected both imagination and bloat. There were moments I thought boring and unnecessary. My kids lost interest at points. 
We all loved the Assassin’s Creed ziplining and thought they should have done more with Les Miserables. The Moulin Rouge dancers looked less polished, less happy than one would expect for this sort of an experience. Dancing in the rain is hard –and dancing at the edge of the Seine with no railing in the rain, harder. Live experiences yeild a mix –where you get facial expressions, tired bodies, and off count moments, and points where you can’t help but say, “ooohhh, that’s cool” or “Man, that’s hard.”
@nbcsports The torch is making its way around Paris by land, water, AND SKY! � � #ParisOlympics ♬ original sound – NBC Sports
When we went to Ocean City this weekend, the storefronts were festooned with crude t-shirts of all kinds. If you looked and read, eventually, you would reach your line. Shades of Spensers, the county fair, and Vegas could be found everywhere. My adolescent kept shaking her head. She didn’t understand why anyone would want to wear such a thing. I expect that from a thirteen year old. Her sisters who were older, ignored them. She learned to imitate. Ignore what you can.
Still, the boardwalk offered plenty of delights. We did enjoy Thrashers, some OC donuts, Julia’s canollis, pizza and Sunday brunch. Street muscians played poor covers for Taylor Swift, Jimmy Buffet and the ill considered Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. We people watched and beach combed. I found clam shells and almost sharks’ teeth –shells that look like they could be but you know they aren’t, and a touch of sea glass. Swimming in the Atlantic –very cold but eventually pleasant –yes, I said it. However I screamed and complained until I got used to it. I miss the gulf where getting used to it isn’t necessary. All in all, a beautiful short limited trip (Only six of us) that yeilded a pleasant mix of experiences.
Vacations, life and Olympic opening ceremonies are like that.
You beachcomb the reality –there will be treasures, joys, uninspired or poor choice moments, and all of them possibly within seconds of each other, for the keeping. You will find delight even if you complain, if you persist. Hold onto the fun, ignore what you can, and walk away when you need to.
We are not entitled to a feather ruffle free life –it’s why when creative experiences are seamless –or athletic performances prove to be a perfect fluid experience of great drama and joy, they are a joy. They aren’t always, they’re never guaranteed, and it’s wonderful when we happen to catch it even just because we watched when we watched.
We know what is sacred –and how to respond to it –which means the bar for us is higher. When we misstep, it has graver consequences. However, we’re supposed to be able to bear wrongs well –to allow sacred cows to be bbq. We’re supposed to be able to stand up and speak the truth when we are asked to lie or speak against the sacred, but not to demand others swear fealty to our sensibilities or tastes. Walk by, ignore when you can, don’t support, and say a prayer –really. Say a prayer for those who hurt your heart or bother your brain. Really. That’s turning the other cheek, loving your enemy. Hmmm. Sound familiar?
Some guy named Jesus said that. The Lord, not the picture of the Lord, the person we hold sacred said that’s what we’re supposed to do.
One last point on the painting. DaVinci understood the reality of us, as we seem to forget. Jesus is there, offering to those he loves, everything. The apostles, like us, are doing everything but actually listening in the moment. I’m not sure any is actually fully looking at what he is doing. Each can only see partially –like all of us, and none is giving what Christ is doing their full attention. They may be seeing Jesus, but they’re not hearing him or each other. I know I’ve been at masses where I was every one of those apostles, and where I’ve seen my kids likewise forget what is happening, who is present. We go to the mass like this almost every time. When we’re sent out to the masses, they’re like this every time too.
Be present, be a source of peace, rather than the voice of outrage. Ignore the tacky and tasteless, beachcomb for the beautiful and discover even if it’s cold, it can be wonderful, even if it’s got things you don’t like, it contains the sacred. Do this, and you will find the world much less irritating, much less insulting, much less blasphemous. Your witness will likewise do more to bring hearts to Him and that’s what we’re supposed to do with this life.
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