The seemingly miraculous winning streak by the New York Knicks may have fueled a resurgence of religious devotion around New Jersey and the tri-state region.
As the Knicks played their way through a historic postseason run, many of their long-suffering fans are turning into devout believers.
They prayed for divine intervention as clergy blended their hopes for a Knicks victory into their preaching.
To Knicks fans who haven’t witnessed a championship since 1973, the NBA Finals represent more than a rare shot at victory: It’s the sensation of their prayers being answered.
Many around the tri-state region pleaded with a higher power to be generous Monday night.
Many churches, including the North Jersey Vineyard Church in South Hackensack and Christ Temple Baptist Church in Paterson, have welcomed the Knicks hoopla into their sanctums, by hosting watch parties of the games.
Clergy are also getting into the spirit by deriving important moral and spiritual messages from the team’s turnaround.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson and a longtime Knicks fan, said on his podcast “Beyond the Beacon” that athletics can be a good metaphor for spiritual life. In an interview with The Record on Monday, he praised the team for not giving up and noted that there are many lessons people can learn from the Knicks about “values, dedication, teamwork and selflessness,” he said, adding, “They are good role models.”
Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of Temple Emanu-El in Closter said he “wished the Knicks well from the bima” (synagogue stage) on the Jewish Sabbath and the Rev. Pat Kauffman of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ridgefield exclaimed, “Go Knicks” as she welcomed worshippers to Sunday Mass.
While the Spurs may have the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco cheering for their success, Knicks fans believe Pope Leo is on their side. Last November, filmmaker Spike Lee gave the pontiff a custom Knicks jersey with his name on it, which Leo accepted with a grin. More recently, Leo gave a double thumbs up to a fan shouting “Go Knicks,” in a gesture that went viral.
Rabbi Gabe Cohen of Temple Emanu-El in Closter said he’s swapped out his gray kippah for an orange and blue one in honor of the Knicks. “The Knicks are bringing people together in a way that transcends sports. People are now more inclined to be in the pews because they are praying for the team and finding a group that wants to talk basketball. We can put aside our differences and cheer them together. Shabbat Shalom is followed by `Go Knicks!”
The Rev. Phil Chorlian of North Jersey Vineyard Church, which is holding a watch party Monday night, said he definitely has “Knicks fever” and has worn his Knicks jersey to church for the past two Sundays. He’s not alone: “The last couple of weeks in church there’s been a sea of Knicks gear in the seats,” he said.
As a tortured, lifelong fan, whose children attended Villanova, “I’ve been watching Jalen, Josh and Mikal for many, many years, and the fact that the three of them are playing together now for a Knicks championship is too good to be true,” he said.
Like several other religious leaders, he said he’s not certain if it’s appropriate for people to pray for a sports victory, However, “We can pray for everyone to do their very best.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Faith leaders find moral lessons in Knicks’ resurgence
