STUDENT-ATHLETE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Text of his remarks

As far as historians can ascertain, sports has been a part of the human experience since the days of pre-history. Prehistoric cave art going back 30,000 years provides evidence of humans engaged in activities that resemble sports. Certainly if we look back to the days of ancient history, sports are an integral part of life. If you have read Homer's Iliad, which is one of the most important books of ancient Greek culture, we find many descriptions of sporting events. For example, various sporting events were held to commemorate Patroculus and honor his memory after he is killed by Hektor. And of course, we all know that the origins of the Olympic Games are found in Ancient Greece. Athletic games for the ancient Greeks was more than a simple sporting event, but a celebration of excellence, as well as a time of gratitude and respect for the gods and goddesses of the Greek world. The aim of sports for the Greek was not just physical fitness but also moral hardihood.

As a college grounded in the liberal arts, with its roots in the classical tradition, it is good for us to recall the moral dimension of sports that was part of the ancient world since this characteristic of athletics reflects our educational mission here at Assumption College. Our aim as an institution is to develop the whole human person ? intellectually, spiritually, morally, physically, and emotionally. There is an element of each of these in any sport. We have to understand the rules of the game (intellectual), we have to train so as to get our bodies in shape to participate (physical), we have to learn how to deal with defeat and victory (emotional), we have to engage in the sport with integrity (moral), and we have to recognize that our talents on the field are a gift of our Creator (spiritual). These aspects of sport were highlighted in the reading this evening from Pope John Paul II. The Honor Code that you will recite this evening also echoes this dimension stating, "We have the responsibility to develop our minds, our bodies, and our moral character." The educational and spiritual potential of sport contributes to the full development of the individual and his/her enjoyment of life. Consequently, sport can be an effective educational instrument, an important tool for positive change and a means of personal growth. But this growth does not come easily. It is only after much sacrifice that results are achieved and growth occurs. Isn't this what St. Paul reminds us of in this evening's reading when he writes, "let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."? Perseverance requires sacrifice and sacrifice requires discipline. Again, in the words of St. Paul this evening, "Endure trials for the sake of discipline." All of you understand this. Each of you spend countless hours training, practicing, conditioning so that you can be the best that you can be. You sacrifice being with friends and family, engaging in other activities, even free time to be an athlete. And while you celebrate when you are victorious, that victory is a result of your hard work, your discipline. This is the ascetical side of sport, which is closely related to our Christian understanding of life, as expressed by St. Paul this evening. In his letter to the Phillipians, Paul makes this point even clearer, writing, "It is not that I have already achieved this. I have not yet reached perfection, but I press on, hoping to take hold of that for which Christ once took hold of me. My friends, I do not claim to have hold of it yet. What I do say is this: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press towards the finishing line, to win the heavenly prize wit which Christ has called me." The experience of undergoing significant physical discipline and pain in order to train our bodies can certainly be good preparation for a healthy spiritual life as well.

However, there is more to being an athlete than just pain, suffering, and discipline. Sports can encourage young people to develop important values such a loyalty, friendship, sharing, and solidarity. As Pope John Paul II said in his homily for the Jubilee of Sports People in 2000, "those involved in sports throughout the world have a great responsibility. They are called to make sports an opportunity for meeting and dialogue, over and above every barrier of language, race, or culture. Sports, in fact, can make an effective contribution to peaceful understanding between peoples and to establishing the new civilization of love." You are called to do this on our campus, as the Athletes' Honor Code makes clear when it states that "we cherish the diverse backgrounds and talents of every member of the Assumption community." Sports teaches cooperation since individuals have to learn to work together. The cooperation required for sports success is connected to the fact that sports can build human community. When team members work in harmony for a period of time, this harmony can radiate out to the broader community and bind people together more closely. I challenge you to create such harmony, not only among yourselves, but also across this College community.

We know, however, that athletics is not just about cooperation, but also competition. There are going to be winners and losers. This doesn't mean that we don't try our best to win ? if that was the case we wouldn't have a true sports contest. We must foster a healthy sense of competition that rests on integrity and fairness. As the honor code states, "We stand for sportsmanship at all times, but most importantly for that which is right?.We embrace fairness in all actions." And during those times when we will inevitably lose we should be able to distinguish between ourselves and our performance. To lose a game does not make anyone a "loser", nor does it call into question one's "metaphysical worth." This is what is implied in the Honor Code when it states, "When we attain our goal we shall raise our expectations. When we fall short we will rise up and rededicate ourselves to the task."

Finally, let me remind you of two things. First, do not forget that you are here to get an education and that you are first and foremost students. Your participation in sports enriches your experience but it does not take precedence over the academic life. Apply the same discipline and perseverance that you channel toward your sport to your studies. If you do that, you will leave Assumption well prepared to encounter the challenges of life. Second, remember that everytime you put on an Assumption uniform, you become a representative of this institution and everything that it values and in which it believes. The way you behave toward one another or toward your opponent must reflect the principles espoused in the Athletes' Honor Code that you will recite shortly. You are ambassadors of Assumption College. What people perceive in you will determine what they perceive about this College. I call on you to make us proud of you, not only by the number of wins you accumulate, but more importantly by the way in which you live your life, not only on the field or the court, but in your everyday life off the field or the court. This is an important responsibility, but no less important than your success as athletes, for it is in the way you live that you will bring honor to yourself and to this college.

In a homily given for the Jubilee of Sport People in 2000, Pope John Paul II reminded the athletes that came to Rome, "Every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ, that is, a faithful and courageous witness to his Gospel. But to succeed in this, he must persevere in prayer, be trained in virtue and follow the Divine Master in everything." That is why we gather in this sacred place this evening, so that in your efforts as athletes, "Christ may be formed in you."