This summer has seen athletes gather from around the world to demonstrate just how far the human body can be pushed. And as we sit back and admire these extraordinary men and women, many of us might be feeling a little inept on the sports front.
We therefore thought we’d have a little fun and compare being a Catholic to being an Olympian. And surprisingly there are a few similarities we’ll happily embrace if it means we don’t feel quite so useless when it comes to pulling off a somersault, or even running for a bus!
1
Dedicated
Olympians are well-known for their complete dedication to training in order to achieve their sporting greatness. This can mean early morning workouts or missing social events to make sure they stay in good shape.
For Catholics those Sunday mornings can be tricky. While it’s so tempting to roll over to go back to sleep, you know you need to get up and at it to arrive at Mass on time. If you’ve had a tough week and/or the kids are acting up, this takes great strength and dedication!
(Okay, so it might not be quite as tough as it is for the Olympians out there, but still, constantly sacrificing those lie-ins is pretty hardcore.)
2
Thrives with a good coach
The best athletes have the best coaches, those who will listen to them and guide them. Likewise, Catholics can count on a great spiritual adviser to help them grow in their faith.
3
Dietary restrictions
To be an athletic champion means ensuring you have a perfectly balanced diet. You have to forgo all those tempting fast foods and opt for a clean diet, rich in protein.
While Catholics don’t have the exact same dietary restrictions, they do have days (and even weeks) in the year where they have to go without their favorite foods. Once more, it can be a real struggle if you have to go throughout Lent forgoing your favorite pastry, chocolate, or maybe alcohol — those 40 days can seem eternal!
4
Slip ups
Watching the incredibly talented gymnast Simone Biles slip up on the beam in Paris reminded us she is not infallible. No matter how much she’d trained, and how hard she’d tried, she still slipped up, but she didn’t give up.
The same can be said for Catholics who do their best to adhere to the tenets of the Catholic faith but may fall by the wayside on the odd occasion. Thankfully, they know they can seek forgiveness and absolution and continue to grow in faith.
5
Representation
In the opening ceremony of any Olympics you’ll see thousands of athletes in their country’s uniforms, proudly walking behind their flag.
Catholics, while it might not always be obvious, are constantly representing God and their faith throughout their life in their actions and in their words.
6
Medals
While Olympians can try and acquire a glistening gold medal, Catholics have a huge array of religious medals they can wear throughout the year — and the good news is they’re a little easier to pull off as you go about your day!
But… one significant difference
While Olympians are limited in how long they can participate in their chosen sport, Catholics can continue to practice their faith throughout their whole life and even beyond!
And today we celebrate...