Newsletter: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B.

You often see them at football or cricket or basketball games – the giant hands with the index finger pointing up, and the rest of the fingers curled together. They usually say ‘number one’.

Jesus says if we focus on being number one, then we certainly are not number one. If we try to say we are the best, or the most important, or the greatest, then we truly are not. If we do our best to not brag but to serve everyone else’s needs and to build up everyone else’s confidence, that is the way to true stardom. How hard is it to be that way when the culture urges us to be number one? How would Jesus handle it if he were a teenager at your school this year? Can you follow his example? How? Why or why not?

Many teenagers report that they have more fun being members of social sporting teams than they do on a school or college team. They play more often, receive less criticism, and are under less pressure that way.

How is that preference related to the message of this Gospel?

If the goal is to always win and be the number one team, then most players fail, because there can only be one number one team in whatever sport, league or district you participate in; only one team can win. Everyone else loses. But if your goal is to learn, to put in the best possible effort, to improve and to have fun, then everyone can succeed; everyone wins. The score doesn’t matter. No one loses.

How is this philosophy of sports related to the Gospel message?

Could this philosophy of sports ever work in the professional area? Why or why not? In the high school area? Why or why not? In the college area? Why or why not?

Where does money enter into the picture? How is money connected to the current philosophy of sports? What would Jesus say about this connection?