It's been one hell of a long day. I had a bunch of scheduling problems (apparently, I needed to have cloned myself, but that would have been against the Ethical and Religious Directives!). But I found out my former campus minister from SMC works at St. Fozzie's, in the hospice unit. How incredibly coincidental is that?! So we had lunch and then she gave me a wonderful overview of hospice. Then I went downtown to meet a couple friends at the Wit Roof. It was so cool; it's a roof-top bar on the 27th floor with a few 20' long fireplaces in the center of tables. But still, it was pretentious. On the train ride, I reflected on my U2 experience this past weekend. I've concluded that the concert was a bit like church. Now, Therese, please don't have me excommunicated, I'm not worshipping at the altar of Bono (as appealing as that is!). It's just that Bono's words stirred me. They rattled me. They made me realize something about the sense of belonging and the overall sense of community.
I enjoy going to church. It is a foundational part of my identity and aside from the whole salvation history and ecclesiastical involvement, I like being a part of something bigger than myself. When I go to mass, I am a part of the Church, a worldwide family spanning 2000+ years.
It's the same with being a Notre Dame fan. Even though this week's loss was a heart-breaker, being a Notre Dame fan makes me a part of another community. I'm a part of something larger, the Notre Dame family. We span generations and a hundred years. In regard to The Church and even athletic affiliations, there is such passion when you engage the rich mix of cultural and traditional elements of such institutions. Okay, so maybe the Church as a wee bit more culture and tradition than Notre Dame.
This weekend's U2 concert experience made me realize I'm a part of U2 Nation. There are an awful lot of people who subscribe to this family and celebrate the emotional rush of membership in this Nation. Check out these clips from the 12 Sept 2009 Soldier Field show...both songs made me feel this overwhelming sense of camaraderie with my nation of U2: Still Haven't Found and Pride. Sometimes it's a life-affirming experience, worth the $225, to engage in U2 Nation and rejoice our way through 24 anthems that current musicians cannot dream of creating.
I wonder...does U2 Nation have a flag? Can it be the cover of Achtung Baby?
At my first (and only) U2 concert my comment to my mom about it was "It was kind of like a religious moment" She thought that I had joined a cult!! So, I totally get the correlation between church and U2! Wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteAmazing videos - I have goosebumps and envy all wrapped up in a lovely blanket of coveting my neighbor's U2 tickets!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm kind of jealous, too. And I'm not even a U2 fan (okay, I'm a fan but I don't salivate when I see a 5'8" Irish guy :)
ReplyDeleteRock on!
Ah, yes. A great time had by all. I love singing along with the songs...it's one of the best parts about going. A U2 concert can be a religious experience. I've told people they have to see U2 at least once in their life even if they don't care for their music b/c it's such an awesome experience. I have an idea for a flag...a collage of all the album covers. :)
ReplyDeleteI've recently found your blog and think your experiences are neat. And yes U2 concerts are religious experiences. I went to one of the achtung baby tours and 'converted' to U2 fanhood on the spot.
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