Bishop Richard Reidy encouraged athletes to compete well, value their teammates and remember that the greatest race is the life of faith.
Athletes, families and sports fans gathered at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich Sunday afternoon for the Diocese of Norwich’s Athletes for Christ Mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Reidy.
The Sept. 27 Mass was created by the Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry as an opportunity to bring together two important parts of many people’s lives — faith and sports. Athletes of all ages had been invited to attend in their sports uniforms or favorite team jerseys for a celebration of the lessons athletics can offer both on and off the field.
Teamwork, Humility and St. Paul
In his homily, Bishop Reidy drew a direct connection between the teamwork demanded in sports and St. Paul’s call to Christians to put aside selfishness and look to the good of others.
Recalling Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice” hockey team, Bishop Reidy noted Brooks’ reminder that “the name on the front of your jersey is a lot more important than the name on the back.”
The same principle, the bishop said, can be found in St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, with its call to unity, humility and concern for others. A team suffers, he observed, when individual players are concerned only with their own accomplishments rather than assists, passing and helping their teammates succeed.
Bishop Reidy also pointed to the many athletic images found in the writings of St. Paul — running the race, disciplining the body and competing for a prize. But while athletic achievements and championships eventually fade, Christians are called to pursue something lasting.
“Today, we bring athletics and worship together among athletes who are Christians. The Scriptures give us good advice for competing in sports, and sports give us good examples of how to live the faith.”
A Crown That Does Not Wither
That distinction between temporary accomplishments and enduring ones became especially personal for the bishop. He told those gathered that he had attended his 50th high school reunion in Worcester the previous evening.
His class had enjoyed tremendous athletic success, but half a century later, he said, the banners had faded and the varsity letters had been lost or misplaced. The conversations at the reunion were instead about friendships, families and faith.
The jerseys worn to the Cathedral also became an image for a deeper identity.
St. Paul teaches that through Baptism Christians “put on Christ,” Bishop Reidy explained. Just as the team name on the front of a jersey represents something greater than the individual player, being clothed in Christ points to an identity greater than any sport or athletic accomplishment.
“Being clothed in Christ is more important than the sports we pursue, because Christ leads us to a crown that will not fail, be lost, or wither.”
Bishop Reidy also shared the example of basketball legend Bob Cousy, whom he knew in Worcester. Despite Cousy’s extraordinary career — including championships, awards and a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame — the bishop pointed to Cousy’s devotion to his wife during the final years of her life as an example of an accomplishment far greater than anything achieved on a basketball court.
The Greater Contest
The bishop concluded by encouraging athletes to embrace the good that competition can build — discipline, character, teamwork and perseverance — while keeping those achievements in perspective.
“Be proud of the shirt on your back. Compete well. Imitate the greats. Run so as to win,” he said.
But, he added:
“Remember the greater contest. Remember the wreath that does not wither, the accomplishments that do not fade, the one that really matters — the measure not of a season, but of a life.”
He closed with the words of St. Paul:
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
Looking for more opportunities to grow in faith and take part in upcoming diocesan events? Visit the Evangelization & Discipleship Ministry page for future programs and gatherings.
Watch the Athletes for Christ Mass