As we continue to live into our call to serve as beacons of God’s love, justice and compassion in our beautiful and broken world, we are sustained in the struggle by pausing to be mindful of moments of joy in the journey. That joy comes in so many ways: a smile from a child, a story from an elder, a wagging tail or a purring cat, a hug from a friend, a field of poppies. And today — for many of us — it comes in the Opening Day of Baseball Season.

To mark this moment we share this prayer by colleague Jim Naughton — veteran journalist, Episcopal communicator and life-long baseball fan.

God of the stand-up triple, the backdoor slider, the stolen base and the 3-6-3, we thank you for the ordered enchantments of the game of baseball.

For the snap of a split-finger fastball in a catcher’s mitt and the arc of a white ball against a blue sky,
we praise you.

For the green of the grass and the throat of the crowd,
we glorify you.

For the grace and grit, the speed and strength, the skill and savvy of those who take the field,
we give you thanks.

As a new season of play begins, shower your blessings like so many free agent contracts upon those who play, those who coach and those who cheer. Exalt with us when we knock in the winning run, comfort us when we muff an easy grounder, befriend us when the hour is late and the game on the radio is our only company.

Lord, in your mercy, may we never walk in the winning run, get fooled by an 0-2 change-up, lose a ball in the lights, or be Thrown Out on the Bases like a Nincompoop (TOOTBLAN).

Creator God, teach us to play fair; to cheer excellence whomever exhibits it, and to root for teams worthy of our affections.

And as we enter this season of renewal Lord, keep us ever mindful that no matter what the umpire says, in your love, we are always safe at home.

Amen.