By Tom Thomas –
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” -St. Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians
As a Christian husband and father who exercises regularly, I have been conflicted by matters regarding exercise and the Sabbath day- Sunday. Invariably all of the key running events (a sport that I love) are held on Sunday mornings. And for the other sport I love, golf, the most coveted tee-off slot is that of early Sunday morning.
I am conflicted because taking part in either of these events, makes me feel physically good, a great way to end a week of toil – precious “me” time. But inside I feel paradoxically not so good, rather empty. The Sunday early morning start required for either sport requires me to either go for the anticipation Mass the evening before, or at a later time on Sunday than the family prefers. Often, I have to attend Sunday Mass alone for these reasons.
The unhappy feeling in me grows more and more over time, and I looked to some resources for guidance, as I was not getting clear information on the topic initially. As surely taking care of my body, is not a sin, is it? Here is what I found:
Catechism of the Catholic Church ( CCC) 2182 says: “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful gives witness by this to his/their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
Hmm. The word ‘together’ strikes me in particular.
I read on.
CCC 2185 says, “ On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.”
It does seem that I am treading a fine line here. My taking part in a Sunday sports event early morning is not giving Him the first place in my life. I should be thanking Him for all the blessings He has given me in the past week. More importantly, what example am I setting for my family, in demonstrating what my priorities are?
Of course, exercise is important and even the Saints have said so. Sample this:
“Remember that bodily exercise, when it is well ordered, as I have said, is also prayer by means of which you can please God our Lord.”
–St. Ignatius of Loyola
I read about the life of Eric Liddell, one of the greatest runners of all time who refused to participate in an Olympic running event because it fell on a Sunday. He was the favourite to win the event, the 100 metres heats, and it was Paris 1924. Running was dear to him, and yet his need to worship God and keep Sunday only for Him was greater, no matter what the cost. He took part in another event that fell during the weekday, the 400 metres, which was not his strong point, and against all odds, won that race., to worldwide acclaim He said famously, “The secret of my success over the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then, for the second 200m, with God’s help, I run faster.” He ultimately served as a missionary in China where he lost his life. The movie Chariots of Fire chronicled the famous race and life of this amazing man.
I also come across the following quote from Holy Father Pope Francis on sports in 2018 at the release of the Vatican document -Giving the best of yourself: “We need to deepen the close connection that exists between sport and life, which can enlighten one another, so that the effort to surpass oneself in an athletic discipline also serves as a stimulus to always improve as a person, in all of life’s aspects. This pursuit puts us on the path that, with the help of God’s grace, can lead us to the fullness of life that we call holiness.”
In Mk 2:23-28, Jesus tells the Pharisees that they had not interpreted the Law properly. In making reference to David and his men, Jesus gives approval of what David did, even though he had technically broken the law by doing what is prohibited on Sabbath. Thus Jesus upheld not the letter of the law but the spirit – the original intent of the law. For Jesus, as for us, the real priority is not to be a slave to the law, but to use the law, in the best way possible, to alleviate a human need.
I see now the Sabbath rest is “a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money”. Of course, the poor among us need to work in a third world or else there will be starvation in the family. But for those who have no need of work on Sunday, it ought to be time to spend with family and friends, to enjoy an unhurried meal with the family, to play a game together, to read a book or watch a movie with the family and to read something from the Sacred Scripture. It is good to do things that can earn no money but activities good in themselves but enjoyable and restorative. God who gave us the example of the Sabbath deserves the prime time in our day of rest.
All this reading helps me understand that it is not wrong to exercise, even on Sunday, if I put Him first and am able to attend Mass along with my family as a community in the Church.
A friend has been calling me to register for a run in a great location, this falls on a Sunday morning (what else?). Writing this article has helped me make up my mind. I will pass on this one, I tell him.
I find the prayers of St John Paul II, mentioned in the Homily on the Jubilee of Sports People delivered on 29th October 2020 meaningful in putting exercise on Sunday in the right perspective for me: “And those, like the athlete, who are at the peak of their strength recognize that without you, O Christ, they are inwardly like the blind man, incapable, that is, of seeing the full truth, of understanding the deep meaning of life, especially when faced with the darkness of evil and death.
Even the greatest champion finds himself defenceless before the fundamental questions of life and needs your light to overcome the demanding challenges that a human being is called to face.
Lord Jesus Christ, help these athletes to be your friends and witnesses to your love. Help them to put the same effort into personal asceticism that they do into sports; help them to achieve a harmonious and cohesive unity of body and soul.
May they be sound models to imitate for all who admire them. Help them always to be athletes of the spirit, to win your inestimable prize: an imperishable crown that lasts forever. Amen!”
My mind becomes clearer. I have to work for that imperishable crown that lasts forever.
That is the goal of Christian life.
I am grateful that sports, in the right balance, can help me towards that goal.
Help me, Lord.