The memories are connected. When the USA Women's Hockey team defeated the Canadian team a few days ago, I could not help comparing that game with the victory in 1980 of the USA Men's Hockey Team at Lake Placid. I was not at Lake Placid for the USA victory. But ten years or so after that victory, I was up in Lake Placid giving some talks to the priests of that area. During one of the afternoon breaks, I wandered around Lake Placid and came to the high school and walked inside the hockey rink, the site of the USA victory over Russia. It seemed like such a magical place - even though when I saw it, it was dark inside, no one else was there - but there was something incredibly special about being in the place where a wonderful thing happened for the USA team and their fans.
The cry of the fans, "USA, USA, USA" was so easy to recall while walking around the rink. I could see and hear the memory of the crowds. It was an experience which I always savor.
Why bring it up during Lent? Simple - it is the power of a memory. Do you see the connection with our faith? with the Mass? During the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, the priest says the words of Jesus, "do this in memory of me." We do and say what Jesus said and did. And it is real. We even call it the Real Presence. That is the experience we are meant to have during Mass - Jesus is with us.
USA - USA - USA. True. Even more true, Jesus is with us.
TODAY's GRATITUDE: Memories of God in my life - which really keep me going - especially when everything else is so difficult.