Compete Well For the Faith

So maybe you never read the Bible or maybe you are like the way I use to be and not realize that the readings at Mass are from the Bible. (It is a running joke with my non-Catholic friends that Catholics don't read the Bible) I am usually struck by a word or two during the Mass from the Scripture readings. Today, I was struck by one phrase in particularly which comes from 1 Timothy 6:12, "Compete well for the faith." Why did just a simple phrase speak so deeply to my heart. There are two reasons.

The first reason is the reminder that I need to have a sporting spirit about everything in life, even my life of faith (which actually impacts everything that I believe) Our lives are full of ups and downs and there is going to be temptations to be discouraged and feel like a failure. I remember playing football in high schools on the offensive line. Sometimes I knocked the guy across from me on his back and the running back would be able to breeze by the hole I created with ease and other times I would miss the guy completely and the running back would be tackled for a loss. (Boy were those incidents embarrassing on film) But after that moment happened that moment didn't matter anymore. The only thing that matter was the decision that I would make next. Would I beat myself up, or would I get back up and try to win the next down. This is what I am referring to as the sporting spirit. St Josemaria comments on this topic by saying, "Tackling serious matters with a sporting spirit gives very good results. Perhaps I have lost several games? Very well, but — if I persevere — in the end I shall win." (Furrow 169)

The second thing that was brought to my mind is that life is not easy, especially the Christian life. But who said it was going to be easy. First I am not sure of any great person in this world that did not have to struggle and persevere for something. Things are handed to us on a silver platter. Think about your own life experiences. When do things taste the sweetest? The greatest victory for a sports team is an upset of the number 1 team or bouncing back after a disappointing loss. It is those who learn to persevere through what seems to be apparent failure to make it to their end in joyful pursuit! Remember that Michael Jordan commercial

Our failures will ultimately lead to our successes if we tackling them with what Josemaria calls the Sporting Spirit or Stephen Covey refers to as the Habit of Proactivity. And we must always remember the words of St Paul to the Romans, "We know that in everything God works for good with thos who love him , who are called according to his purpose," (Romans 8:28)