Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race,
but only one wins the prize?
Run so as to win.
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.
They do it to win a perishable crown,
but we an imperishable one.
Thus I do not run aimlessly;
I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train it,
for fear that, after having preached to others,
I myself should be disqualified.
St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, 1 Cor 9:24-27

If there is one reading by Paul that hits home with me, an athlete my whole life, it is this one.  It also proves that our body and soul are connected.  The conflict comes when we spend more time working on our body than our Spirit.  We live in sports world where Super Bowls, World Series, Masters, Stanley Cups, March Madness, and Fantasy Leagues are worshiped more than our one True God.  Many times we become Mass goers, go through the motions, then get excited when Mass is over so we can watch sports or check our fantasy teams.  Our priority must be to put God first and our Catholic faith then everything else follows.  

I love sports and I am not trying to downplay them in any way.  I think they teach kids valuable lessons: hard work, discipline, perseverance, friendship, being part of something bigger than yourself.  One of the greatest lessons I have learned in the last couple years that Fr. Orr taught me is that our Catholic faith has parallels to sports in many ways but the biggest way is we learn how to lose.  How many of us play strictly to win, all or nothing!  Jesus was conquered in the eyes of the Romans.  They believed their vast army and power had won by crucifixion.  We all know that Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe who rose three days later and will come back to judge us.  

We must also discipline our Spiritual lives.  We don’t like to run sprints, lift weights, go to practice and so the same drills over and over, but we do so we can play the game, try to win, and get the trophy.  In our spiritual lives it is no different and even more important.  We must pray when we don’t want to, we must get up earlier to make time for prayer, we must read a spiritual book to learn from the greats, we must read the Scripture even if we don’t understand it all yet, we must practice the sacraments, and we must go to Church even if we think it is routine.  Why?  We want to win the imperishable crown of sainthood, be with Jesus, and live eternal life full of joy!  

Christian YOLO-this life is just pre-game for eternal life, if you only get once chance don’t screw it up!