Church and State

Why on earth are the major NFL games and bowls played on Sundays?

It’s a conundrum for me as our family goes to church on Sundays. I’m sure I’m not the first person who struggles with this, but I can’t help wondering that this is some kind of divine test. Certainly worshipping God is infinitely more important than the worship of the gridiron.

But as mere mortals, why can’t we do both? My case in point was the Sunday of the recent playoff games. My wife and daughter “religiously” attend church on Sundays. I’m there for the most part, but for reasons I won’t get into, I had to miss going two Sundays in a row. I promised them I would attend the very next Sunday, not realizing the playoffs were on.

I suddenly was thrust into backpedaling mode, trying to think of possible reasons I could beg off for one more Sunday — or potentially more if you throw the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl into the mix.

It ends up like feigning illness to get out of going to school. Your parents always know you’re faking it.

And a promise to my wife and daughter is not something I’m willing to break. Thousands of you are probably thinking, “You idiot, just go to church before or after the game.” But football Sunday is an all-day kind of thing, and the thousands of you who weren’t thinking that know what I mean.

So, I started getting ready for church, and they looked at me with that, “What are you doing?” kind of look.

My wife asked, “Aren’t you going to stay home and watch the games?” She was being totally sincere, and although this gave me the “out” I was looking for, I was suddenly faced with a moral dilemma. I didn’t even have to think about it. I replied, “No, I’m going with you!”

Besides, praying in church and putting money into the collection basket will have a better result in the long haul than praying for a touchdown and putting money into the football pool.

I also figured I’d save the hall pass for the Super Bowl.

rnagasawa@midweek.com