In light of the summer Olympic games , I'd like to draw some comparisons between this past Sunday's Gospel, John 6: 1-15 (the multiplication of the five loaves and two fish), and the spirit of determination found throughout the Olympic games. In the Gospel story, Jesus asks his disciples to help him gather food for the crowd so they will not go hungry. The disciples are doubtful that this could happen, but one boy gives the five loaves and two fish that he has to help. As a result of his giving, the people are fed, and there are enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets.
Keeping in mind the primary characters of that story (Jesus, his disciples, and the boy), see how the Gospel comes to life through the "characters" found in the Olympic games. Jesus represents the coaches who work hard to teach their athletes and mold them into great competitors. The disciples, then, represent the people who have trouble believing in the coaches' ability to help those athletes succeed as well as those who may even question the athletes' reasons for training in the first place. Lastly, the boy represents the athletes who give their talents and efforts or "loaves and fishes" so that their coach can help them and their team mates blossom. When athletes trust and believe in their coaches, they tend to get more out of their sport than they ever could have imagined in the first place. This is where their "twelve baskets of leftovers" come in to play. In light of this, I would say that these athletes then have an obligation to share their "leftovers" with others so that the Spirit of the Olympic Games, which is one of humility, honor, pride, and unity, continue onward.
The similarities between the Gospel and the Games can be quite inspiring if we allow our spiritual imaginations to embrace the beauty of this Gospel story that we continue to watch unfold throughout the remainder of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Remember, the Spirit moves where it will and can be found anywhere in which we take the time to look.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Flock of Runners
"For they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." Mark 6:34
This past Sunday at mass we heard the above passage in the Gospel. I reflected on this passage in light of last week.
Last week, I was in St. Benedict, LA, working the Gulf States Distance Running Camp for high school cross country runners. This was the 20th year of camp, and it was my 8th year working the camp as a camp coach. Each year is just as exciting as my first year. At camp, we provide young runners with a close-knit community of athletes, coaches, and mentors. This environment enables us to "teach them many things" about distance running. We do so, first of all, by running with the athletes twice a day. This takes a determination and a toughness that many campers didn't realize they had before coming to camp. Secondly, we give informational and motivational talks to the athletes to help sharpen their minds about what it takes to be successful in training and racing. Thirdly, and most importantly, we try to help the athletes understand how what they experience from their running directly relates to what they experience in life. I firmly believe that those of us who go back to camp each year do so because we are attempting to answer the call to be "shepherds" to the the flock of young runners who come to us searching for strength and guidance.
Do you answer the call to be a good shepherd to others in your life?
Do you seek strength and guidance from others?
The Spirit moves us to be shepherds for others just as much as it moves us to seek out our own shepherds.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
This past Sunday at mass we heard the above passage in the Gospel. I reflected on this passage in light of last week.
Last week, I was in St. Benedict, LA, working the Gulf States Distance Running Camp for high school cross country runners. This was the 20th year of camp, and it was my 8th year working the camp as a camp coach. Each year is just as exciting as my first year. At camp, we provide young runners with a close-knit community of athletes, coaches, and mentors. This environment enables us to "teach them many things" about distance running. We do so, first of all, by running with the athletes twice a day. This takes a determination and a toughness that many campers didn't realize they had before coming to camp. Secondly, we give informational and motivational talks to the athletes to help sharpen their minds about what it takes to be successful in training and racing. Thirdly, and most importantly, we try to help the athletes understand how what they experience from their running directly relates to what they experience in life. I firmly believe that those of us who go back to camp each year do so because we are attempting to answer the call to be "shepherds" to the the flock of young runners who come to us searching for strength and guidance.
Do you answer the call to be a good shepherd to others in your life?
Do you seek strength and guidance from others?
The Spirit moves us to be shepherds for others just as much as it moves us to seek out our own shepherds.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Faith to Compete
"I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
In the last couple of weeks, I have travelled to Eugene, OR, (aka Tracktown, USA) to watch the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials, and I have spent great family time in Bay St. Louis, MS. Both environments were great testaments to the power of having good people in your life.
While in Eugene, I had the privilege of watching our country's finest athletes compete at one of the highest levels of competition. Each of the athletes were competing with his or her sights set on representing the United States in the Olympics. Coincidentally, the above scripture verse just happened to be part of the Gospel for the sixth day of competition at the Trials. How fitting! St. Paul wrote this verse acknowledging the faith that he had in the Lord to help him through all of his trials. Like St. Paul and the athletes at the Olympic Trials, we must have faith in our own "training" so that we may be confident yet humble in our pursuit of our life goals. Also, let us remember that though we may "toe the line" as individuals, we can trust that the Spirit has worked and will continue to work on our behalf through our families, friends, coaches, and team mates to put us in the best position to compete well, to finish the race, and to keep the faith.
Below are a few pictures of the people, venue, and athletes with whom I soaked in the wonder of good competition at its best.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
In the last couple of weeks, I have travelled to Eugene, OR, (aka Tracktown, USA) to watch the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials, and I have spent great family time in Bay St. Louis, MS. Both environments were great testaments to the power of having good people in your life.
While in Eugene, I had the privilege of watching our country's finest athletes compete at one of the highest levels of competition. Each of the athletes were competing with his or her sights set on representing the United States in the Olympics. Coincidentally, the above scripture verse just happened to be part of the Gospel for the sixth day of competition at the Trials. How fitting! St. Paul wrote this verse acknowledging the faith that he had in the Lord to help him through all of his trials. Like St. Paul and the athletes at the Olympic Trials, we must have faith in our own "training" so that we may be confident yet humble in our pursuit of our life goals. Also, let us remember that though we may "toe the line" as individuals, we can trust that the Spirit has worked and will continue to work on our behalf through our families, friends, coaches, and team mates to put us in the best position to compete well, to finish the race, and to keep the faith.
Below are a few pictures of the people, venue, and athletes with whom I soaked in the wonder of good competition at its best.
May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.
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