Bruce Epperly offers this timely post today:<\/p>\n
I am delighted that Phil Mickelson won the Masters this weekend. While the media focused on the athletic and marketing redemption of Tiger Woods, there was a deeper story going on, a story of the spirit, of persistence, and of healing. It was a story of redemption, if, by redemption, we mean healing, transformation, and grace.<\/p>\n
When Mickelson made the final putt to win the Masters, I called my son, a cancer survivor, and his first response was \u201cthe good guy won!\u201d It\u2019s only a game, but I wept in remembrance of my experience as a father dealing with my only child\u2019s cancer. Now, I recognize that goodness is no guarantee of success and righteousness, despite some biblical passages, is not always rewarded. The biblical legend of Job reminds us quite realistically that you can do all the right things and still suffer; in golf, you can deserve the victory and still be the runner up. Indeed, often sports superheroes are persons of dubious moral caliber, and nice guys finish last.<\/p>\n
Health and illness, and victory and defeat, are not always linear. There are many factors beyond our control or the quality of our spiritual lives that lead to a cure or to death from a serious illness. All the prayers and love may not cure a serious illness of body, mind, or spirit. Still, there was a moment of redemption and healing, when Phil Mickelson won the Masters, hugged his wife who is being treated for breast cancer and could barely marshal the energy to make it to the course, and embraced his three young children. It was a hopeful and happy moment (I almost said \u201cending,\u201d but Amy and Phil still have treatments ahead and years ahead before a cure can be pronounced), and an image of hope for all of us who have loved persons with cancer, and who know what it\u2019s like to feel helpless, having nothing but love and faith to give, and then discover that love and prayer are enough! <\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know about Phil Mickelson\u2019s religious faith, but I know about his love for his wife, his mother who is also being treated for breast cancer, and his children. It was a defining moment for the Mickelson family and for all of us who pray for recovery from cancer and life-threatening illness for ourselves and loved ones. But, in those happy tears, I experienced a love and faith that was not bound by denomination or creed; the faith born of saying \u201cyes\u201d to hope and love, even if God\u2019s name is not invoked.<\/p>\n
Now, I like Tiger Woods. He is also in recovery, and I pray for his healing. But, I must admit that I hoped that he would not win the Masters. I am not into punishment and recognize the realities of addiction. I wish, and pray, that Tiger will experience authentic redemption, first, as a person, then as a parent (and, perhaps, a spouse), and finally as a professional golfer. I hope Tiger will win another major championship, but not this time, for his own spiritual well-being. Premature redemption, like premature forgiveness, can cause more harm than good. Years ago, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer criticized the phenomenon of \u201ccheap grace,\u201d that is, the sense that love of God or, in the case of Tiger Woods, recovering sponsors and receiving adulation, requires little or nothing of us spiritually or morally. Perhaps, Tiger spoke the truth of his situation when he noted that \u201cI have to take a little time off and evaluate some things.\u201d I hope that some of his evaluation involves a commitment to meditation, not just to be a better golfer, but to find his spiritual center. Healing takes time, and it means focusing on what\u2019s really important, which right now is not winning tournaments or retaining sponsors, but getting down to the basics of transforming your life and relationships. <\/p>\n