Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

A few years ago, there was a controversy about the use of instant replays to instill fairness and lessen human error in sports competitions. All of the major sports decided to employ the technology. The argument was that this technology would make the game better by ensuring fairness and objectivity. Sports purists argued that it would detract from the game, creating inordinate delays, and would cast doubt on the competence of the referees or umpires. They argued that there is always a human dimension that must be factored into any human competition.

During these last two weekends of football playoffs, instant replay and photo technology have certainly played a significant factor in the performance of the game. What I find interesting is that now experts in television booths are reviewing the plays with this technology and these so-called experts disagree with one another as to the determination. They may even call the play differently than the referees on the field. They will offer the rules, point out the different views and argue their assessment.

What seems to have happened is that there are no longer the referees on the field of play, but hundreds of referees in broadcasting booths, as well as millions of others watching the game on television. They all have an opinion as to whether the play was fair or not. I would offer that favoritism could still cloud the technology. I played basketball for four years in college. I averaged five fouls a game for the entire season, and I was a starter. If you asked me, I never committed a foul, and the referees were always wrong in their assessment. Technology is a useful tool, but tools are placed in the hands of individuals who must make human judgments. We are not perfect, and we must live with the imperfections of life.

Reconciliation, also called confession, is a sacrament that asks us to evaluate our actions. It is a great sacrament because it is not for the perfect. Rather, Reconciliation calls the imperfect forward to be forgiven for their sins. There are no instant replays in the confessional booth. Everything confessed is self-disclosed and the confessor offers counsel and insights. It is here that human error, sin, is confessed with contrition and then forgiven. Most of us carry with us the regrets of hurtful actions we have committed. However, God is the forgetful Forgiver who forgives seven times seventy times. We need frequent reconciliation to assist us on the playing field of life. There are no instant replays, but when we do examine our actions, we should always do so in view of Jesus’s mandate to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.   

Note: This blog originally appeared as the January 19, 2021 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.