I’ve noticed a noxious presence sprouting across the course where I play most of my rounds of golf.
And no, I’m not talking about the many, many patches of Native Grass (aka “weeds”) that are so perfectly placed around the track to gobble my errant shots. Such natural hazards are to be expected – they’re an integral part of golf.
Rather, the bane of my game is the Bluetooth speaker. Or more precisely, “speakers.” They seem to be everywhere on the course these days, dangling from the carts of every fourth or fifth golfer…sometimes two different speakers in a single foursome, likely blaring an unholy mash-up of classic rock and modern country.
Now don’t get me wrong: I love good music. I enjoy how it spurs creativity and enlivens conversations among friends and companions. But I’m of the opinion that music has its place – and that place is decidedly NOT the golf course.
This hide-bound position of mine is one reason why I tend to walk the course, rather than ride. I need the separation – I need the relative peace-and-quiet – that comes from being in my own space. Because that’s the other thing: Rare these days is the golfing companion who actually asks permission to blast tunes during your backswing. It’s just assumed that you (and the rest of the League) will want the volume maxed out on “Radar Love” – even as you’re gathering your thoughts to play a crucial shot.
But into every green fairway a few noxious weeds must sprout, I suppose. So I tend to just tolerate the prattle, and do my best to mentally silence all that uninvited ambient sound. Imagine my surprise, then, to hear one of the Sonic Blasters comment in the clubhouse recently about how slowly I play game. Apparently, he noticed the frequent separation between my push-cart and his Bluetooth speaker.
Frankly, I’m not quite sure what to make of this situation. I don’t really think I’m a slow player, nor do I intend to change my preference for walking – due in significant part to his preference for noise. One man’s wheat is another man’s weeds, I guess.
It’s something of a consolation then to meditate on the wisdom Jesus sows in this week’s gospel passage. It’s often difficult – if not impossible – to sort the weeds from the wheat in one’s life (or on the golf course, for that matter). So what’s Jesus’ advice? “Let them grow together.”
In other words: Don’t assume you have all the facts in evidence. Don’t behave as if you alone are judge and jury. Rather, seek the assistance of “the Son of Man and his angels” to block out any blue noise you might encounter…and carry on.
Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.
IHS
With Us Still 