Psalm 139 for the Golfer.
(Psalm 139 is a beautiful psalm that speaks of God's presence no matter where we go. The following is Sr. Dorothy's golfer's prayer based on Psalm 139).
Divine Master, You have watched me and You know me.
You know when I duff and when I divot.
You understand my plays from afar.
My swings and my putts You scrutinize,
with all my strokes You are familiar.
As soon as the ball takes flight,
behold, Wise Master,
You know its destination.
Behind me and before me, You help me swing,
and rest Your hand upon mine.
Such comfort is too wonderful for me,
Too lofty
Who knows the course of the ball in flight?
If it goes into the waters, You are there.
If it sinks into the sand trap, You are there.
If I wander into barren wasteland,
even there Your hand shall guide me,
to help me score my best.
Probe me, O God, and know my heart,
try me and know my thoughts.
See if my way is crooked,
and lead me, if not to a hole in one,
at least to a praiseworthy finish.
Then Sr. Dorothy offers meditations to correspond with the 18 holes that make up a round of golf. The following is Sr. Dorothy's reflections on Hole 1.
I WILL LEAD THE BLIND ON THEIR JOURNEY; BY PATHS UNKNOWN I WILL GUIDE THEM. I WILL TURN THE DARKNESS INTO LIGHT BEFORE THEM.-ISAIAH 42:16
"Divine Master, every now and then we meet extraordinary people." Greg Matthew, a golf pro and owner of the Pine View golf course in Kalamazoo, allowed us to take blind students cross-country skiing on his course.
Greg became a pro in 1956. He was always a par golfer, but when he lost his sight in 1970 from diabetes, he continued to golf and broke a eight-six or better every time. In 1980, the doctors amputated his right leg. Still he continued to play, happy to break one hundred. In 1996, he had a heart attack while golfing but that, too, didn't stop him.
On December 11, 1998, he was hospitalized for numerous complications. By his bedside were his wife, Jan, his children, Lisa and Tim, and Tim's wife, Lynn. Greg was lying peacefully when all of a sudden, he took off his oxygen mask, looked up at his family, and smiled. He saw them for the first time in twenty-eight years. He then asked his wife to kiss him and, after a deep sigh, breathed his last and went home to the Divine Master.
Afterward, his wife told me, "For the first time in twenty-eight years, he could see us. His eyes were no longer covered by a gray film, but were as clear as a blue sky. I know it was a miracle."
God, You continue to bless us with miracles,
most of which pass unnoticed.
Shield us from discouragement when tragedy
knocks at the door.
Give us the courage as you did Greg,
to go on
when all seems hopeless.
After offering us, some reflections for the 18 holes, Sr. Dorothy offers some reflections on other aspects of the game of golf. For example:
HANDICAP
Based on our average score
Whatever our handicap, it should never be an excuse for doing less than our best. May we not be discouraged by our handicaps. They often provide the push we need to accomplish heroic undertaking, which will affect the lives of others significantly.
Divine Master, I pray that I can accept my handicap
and not let it distract me.
Restore in me faith to believe in myself again.
Surround me with Your love and grace.
Continue to give me the courage and desire
to love and
serve others the way You do.
HOOKS AND SLICES
Depending on our aim, we may be hitting some good shots, but in the wrong direction. The Master will allow us to start fresh at any point in our life. It is never too late to get our life back on course, no matter what may have thrown us off course.
Divine Master, sometimes we feel
we're aiming right,
but after a few strokes
our sights are misdirected.
Forgive me for the times I've strayed from You.
Increase my sensitivity to others as I walk
through life.
A MULLIGAN: THANK GOD FOR THE SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE
God always gives us second chances. We are given the right to be human, to be weak, to stumble and fall, but as long as we continue to reach out and forgive not only those who hurt us, but also ourselves, we are pleasing in the Master's eyes. When we find it in our heart to forgive and realize that what someone did to us was a result of weakness, imperfection, and impatience, then we free ourselves. As long as we harbor anger and resentment, we will never be free. Our prayer life will lack power, our jobs and relationships will be affected, and our health will suffer. We all want a second chance; let's pray we will give it to others.
Divine Master, often You have given me
second chances.
Forgive me for the times I've refused
to give others the same.
Help me to be sensitive to others
who are hurting.
Increase my vision to see the pain and
brokenness in others.
Keep me meek in offering my opinion.
Teach me how to forgive myself when I offend
Transform me into the person I am to become.
( In golf a mulligan is a second chance at a particular shot).
Sr. Dorothy finishes her book with this prayer based on the Prayer of St. Francis.
Divine Master, Grant that we may not seek
so much to be the best player
as to be grateful to You
for the gifts and talents we possess;
To be calm when others are upset;
To be respectful to those we walk
the course with.
For it is in giving our best that we receive life.
It is in overlooking faults and weaknesses
that You will be compassionate towards us.
It is in dying to our ego that we may become
the person You intended us to be.
A Golfer's Day with the Master is published by Doubleday. It can be ordered through Barnes and Noble or Books a Million. I'm sure, St. Joseph's book and religious article store would also order it for you. Their telephone number is 725-2284.