Field of Dreams - A Catch With the Father (Bot9 #222)

The whole story of Field of Dreams is set up by the montage of photos and yearbooks at the beginning of the movie. We know these things as consumers of media, yet we still allow ourselves to get swept into the emotion of the ending. The reconciliation of a father and son playing catch in the twilight is a beautiful thing.

(As a quick aside, has anyone ever said, “Dad, you wanna have a catch?” I didn’t. I “played” catch with my dad, but we never “had” a catch. The terminology of things in different areas of the country is fascinating. Like how every carbonated beverage in Texas is a “Coke.” I digress…)

As Ray talks with his father, John, at the end of the movie, John asks, “Is this Heaven?” and the rest of the conversation plays out like this:

Ray Kinsella: It's...Iowa.
John: Iowa?
Ray: Yeah...
John: I could have sworn it was heaven.
Ray: Is...is there a heaven?
John: Oh, yeah. It's the place where dreams come true.
Ray: Maybe this is heaven.

I wonder if this place where “dreams come true” is really simply the place where all relationships are reconciled. A place where love, grace, and forgiveness abound. Heaven on Earth. In this way, we have an opportunity, even a call, to bring reconciliation to all of our relationships here in this life as followers of Christ. We need to bring people back to the ballpark and play catch.

What better picture of reconciliation is there than two people playing catch? Any ballplayer knows the strange magic that happens as you play catch. In that moment exists trust in one another, faith in one another, and a continued connection between two souls. Something more than a ball flying through the air and into the glove is occurring in that moment.

Think for a moment about what Christ then did for us. He ensured us a place in Heaven where all relationships will be reconciled, and where we will be reconciled to the Father. Our Heavenly Father. We will be reconciled with the Creator and with all of those He created. When we are able to live in perfect relationship with Him and one another, that is the place where dreams come true.

As Bottom of the Ninth breaks for Christmas and New Year’s, I want to encourage everyone to find reconciliation with the Father and with one another. Bring Heaven to Earth and your life by soaking in those moments of reconciliation, and join the Father in His redeeming work in the world.

Mark 12:30-31, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”