Embracing Failure: An Insight into the Spirituality of Imperfection

In recent years, I recall reading a very interesting book called the “Spirituality of Imperfection”. 

The book opens with the following quote from a commissioner of Baseball.

“Baseball teaches us, or has taught most of us, how to deal with failure. We learn at a very young age that failure is the norm in baseball and, precisely because we have failed, we hold in high regard those who fail less often—those who hit safely in one out of three chances and become star players. I also find it fascinating that baseball, alone in sport, considers errors to be part of the game, part of its rigorous truth.* 

Francis T. Vincent, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball

The authors go on to modify this quotation to indicate how much of our spiritual journey can be explained through this analogy: 

“Spirituality teaches us, or has taught most of us, how to deal with failure. We learn at a very young age that failure is the norm in life … errors are part of the game, part of its rigorous truth.”*

Of course, we are all broken in some way, but the lesson here of learning that much of our development and movement in our lives, comes from making errors can also be applied to the spiritual journey. We are all imperfect in some way, and yet God still loves us. 

When I review my own spiritual journey over the years, I can see much of the change, at least the positive changes, occurred when I had recognized when I had failed in my relationship with God and others. The forgiveness which is there for us through the sacrament of Reconciliation and God’s unconditional love for us helps us to heal and move closer to Him. 

This week let me see how the Peace of Christ is forged within me by helping me with my own errors, and showing how this unlimited supply of grace keeps us all close to Him and each other.  

How do you deal with your imperfections? Do they constantly nag you for change, or can you live with them? Living with yourself.

* Kurtz, Ernest. The Spirituality of Imperfection (p. 1). Random House Publishing Group.

Image and Reflection Copyright 2024 Michael J. Cunningham

Stop: by Michael J Cunningham