“We Are All Canucks,” says the Vancouver Canucks ad campaign. Can we equally say “We Are All Catholics,” asks Pat Macken. (Wikimedia Commons photo)
Most of us in the Vancouver area have heard the Vancouver Canucks promotional advertisements that say “We Are All Canucks.” It is a clever effort to create a sense of family and loyalty towards the team, which will then theoretically make it hard to resist buying a season ticket package of some form.
However it brings to mind the question: with whom do we associate ourselves more – our favourite sports team or Jesus Christ? Are we first and foremost a Canuck, or are we most importantly part of the Catholic family?
As a fan, the support that we as Catholics give to a particular sport in general, a specific team, or even a particular player is good as long as we keep our priorities very clear. There are many good things that come out of being a sports fan and I know well because I have been one.
When I was very young (pre-NHL Canucks) watching hockey was a Saturday night tradition that brought all of the family together. We celebrated and suffered together, though it should be noted that a loss did not anger us for the next 24 hours.
The sport created bonding as a result of time spent cheering together. It would lead to us playing together afterwards. My father and I had many fun discussions over the years about sports but it was always impressed upon us kids that sports should never take the place of God in our life. We were taught where to draw the line.
As with everything we do in life we must remember to bring God into that activity: do not exclude the Father from your experience.
Too often we will spend hours watching sports and yet we cannot find even a few minutes to pray and to build our relationship with God.
Perhaps we spends lots of money on sports memorabilia but we don’t help the parish, archdiocese, or the poor through Catholic Charities.
Are we more concerned about team standings than we are about the erosion of religious freedom in our country? Does it occur to us sports fans that the number of lives lost through abortion and euthanasia is more significant than the number of games our favourite player will miss due to an injury? We had people riot in our streets after a Game 7 loss, and yet very few will join a prayerful pro-life vigil. Some of us might even miss going to Mass on Sunday because of a sports event that they want to watch or attend.
As sports fans we all have athletes that we cheer for and follow closely. It is wonderful to see such amazing God-given gifts being used in thrilling fashion under pressure. If you happen to cheer for athletes who are good examples off the court as well, even better.
We must learn, though, how to differentiate between idolizing athletes and admiring them. As Catholics only Jesus should be our idol. We should want to live like he did and we should want to tell everyone about him.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that we should reject the neo- pagan notion that “... idolizes physical perfection and success at sports” (CCC 2289). As a fan, especially a young one, learn to look for the virtues in athletes that you have been taught growing up (fortitude, persistence, sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork.
Whenever a tragedy occurs in sports, like the horrific bus crash in Saskatchewan that killed many members of the Humboldt Broncos, sports broadcasters will often say that “we are reminded right now that there are things in life far more important than the games themselves.” This is so true and as fans we should remind ourselves of this whenever we watch a game. Ironically that accident also showed how sports can bring a community together in an incredible way.
Saint John Paul II once said, “The dignity of sport is increased when it is inspired by healthy principles and is void of disturbing attitudes by some fans who get carried away by competition.”
He saw the positive side of fandom also when he stated that “Sport should foster festive celebration and friendly coexistence with a Catholic Christian outlook.”
Are you a fan or fanatic? Are you willing to sacrifice your values to be a fan? Enjoy your sports experience, using it for God’s purposes and therefore become a fanatic for Jesus.