By Dr. Scott Hahn

I love teaching. I work year round at two institutes of higher learning. For me, a full teaching load means a fulfilled life.

There’s a flipside, however: I have, in the past, found spring break almost unbearable. It arrives just when the semester is gaining steam, just when I’m getting to know my students.

Some years ago, to cure my spring blahs, I started spending the “week off” teaching seminarians in Rome. For me, this is a privilege — to work with future priests in the Pope’s own schools in the earthly capital of the Church!

The only difficulty is living so far from my family. So I try to fill my off-hours with tasks that serve the mission of the St. Paul Center.

This spring I addressed students at two seminaries and two universities. I gave a faculty seminar at one university. I visited a residence for American students. I met with two Vatican congregations and countless theologians.

And, finally, I agreed to speak in Rome’s “Theology on Tap” series. To my surprise, this last event provided my greatest opportunity for evangelization. (That “Tap” appearance, by the way, has become an online urban legend, with some bloggers even describing it as a brawl. Let this column set the record straight!)

I was to appear at a small pub, and my assigned topic was the biblical theology of Pope Benedict. I arrived, however, as did the other Tappers, to find the pub occupied by a visiting British soccer team — whose members were avidly watching ESPN on the telly above the bar. When the bartender hit the mute button so that I could start my talk, the footballers were not amused.

They heckled as I tried to begin. One man in particular mocked the mere mention of God. So I decided to play it like a soccer match. The main heckler went on to call God “history’s greatest monster,” blaming Him for all the world’s suffering.

I took up his challenge: If earthly life were all we had, then it would be fair to call God a monster. But it’s not. God sent His only Son to suffer on earth, and to turn suffering into a school of self-giving, to prepare us for the love that never ends.

We continued, back and forth. I never got around to the talk I had originally planned. But I hope I gave the talk that God wanted.

Afterward, I sought out that soccer player. He looked at me and said, “I wish I could believe what you believe.”

I spent some time with him, and I assured him of my prayers. I knew then that you would pray for him, too, because I have come to count on your help in everything I do with the St. Paul Center. For all you do, I thank you.

May 2006