Ah, the Super Bowl—the one time of year when guacamole sales skyrocket and commercials inspire more debate than the halftime show. 

Even though the Pats aren’t in it this year, (and by the look of things it may be some time before they are again!) it’s still a fun event that can do a lot to break up the doldrums of February.  

The Super Bowl is the ultimate spectacle, blending competition, community, and a heaping dose of Americana.  But what if the Super Bowl could also teach us a thing or two about handling our political anxiety?  

As progressive Christians, we’re often juggling a deep concern for justice and a longing for joy.  What if this over-the-top sporting event could serve as a metaphorical playbook for navigating political tension with grace and levity?

Let’s face it: Watching the news these days can feel like being a fan of a perpetually losing team.  It’s exhausting, and the stakes feel impossibly high.  But just as every game begins with a kickoff, our journey toward peace begins with acknowledging that tension.  Jesus didn’t shy away from addressing the conflicts of his time, but he also knew how to break bread with unlikely tablemates.  

So, yes, the political climate might feel like fourth-and-long, but there’s still a play to be made.

Football isn’t a solo sport, and neither is faith.  The huddle is where strategies are formed, and everyone’s voice matters.  As progressive Christians, our huddle is Sunday morning worship.  It might also be a book club, or even an online group chat where you share memes about getting through all of this with a dose of humor.  These spaces remind us we’re not alone in our frustrations or our hopes.

In your huddle, try to practice what theologian Reinhold Niebuhr called “the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”  And when someone fumbles—whether it’s you or someone else—remember that grace is the ultimate game-changer.

Not every game ends in a blowout victory, but every touchdown counts.  In the same way, political progress often comes in incremental steps.  Did you manage to have a civil conversation with someone who sees the world differently? That’s worth celebrating.

Jesus taught us to value mustard seeds and lost coins—small things with big potential.  So even if the “final score” feels discouraging, remember that every yard gained matters.  Keep your eyes on the ultimate prize: a world more aligned with love, justice, and mercy.

At the end of the game, the players shake hands and leave it all on the field.  As Christians, we’re called to live in that same spirit of reconciliation.  Political anxiety might tempt us to see others as enemies, but Jesus reminds us that even our enemies are beloved children of God.  Granted, that’s a huge challenge.

So, as the Super Bowl plays out on your screen—whether you’re there for the football, the snacks, the commercials or the halftime show—let it serve as a reminder to play with heart, don’t let fumbles define you, every yard of forward progress matters, and rest in the knowledge that the ultimate victory is already won.

And if all else fails, just remember: even Jesus often threw a challenge flag at the politics of his time and he also had to call a time-out to pray. 

So pass the nachos and enjoy the game.

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic