Pope John Paul II was a man of true faith. He was also a contemporary, but not a compromiser. He recognized the value of progression, but not at the cost of one’s journey toward the one true God. But he was not only a great leader; he was a great thinker as well. As the title above indicates (“Pensieri sparsi” or “Scattered thoughts”), JPII’s mind worked a lot like that of a philosopher. He indeed saw the inextricable link between God and human dignity. He was, most certainly and unequivocally an advocate for all members of the human family. This was also the case when it came to sports. In my opinion, St. JPII’s book, “Pensieri sparsi,” first published in 1998, was ahead of its time. So many of JPII’s words from that book have been forgotten, but we are now here to recall those words of wisdom in this mini-series about the Saint’s sage advice. In light of that, we begin with the theme of sports.
As a former athlete—one who is now 56 years old and struggling just to get on the treadmill most days—I am still intrigued by the insight of this great saint in so many areas of human existence. Having lived in Rome, Italy in the 1980s, I studied and played soccer competitively for a few years in that beautiful and magnificent land of my ancestors. I had the good fortune of training with the Lazio team in the Italian Serie A back then, thanks to the compassion and mercy of a former New York Cosmos player turned co-owner, Giorgio Chinaglia. Having said that, soccer, fun, and a bit of studying enveloped my mind for the most part.
stoveMuch to my chagrin and disappointment, I can tell you that I had fallen far from my faith at that time in my life. As I said, I was more concerned with sports and all of its trappings than I was with my spiritual journey. Even though I lived and worked close to the Vatican (near Piazza Cavour), I was disinterested in the great saint-inthe-making who was residing nearby my humble abode—a small, one room apartment with a makeshift stove.
Many years would pass and I would eventually experience a “conversion” of sorts. In my post conversion life, I would create a Catholic sports ministry known as “Catholic Soccer Camps” and “Catholic Sports Missions.” This would later grow into “The Global Foundation for Peace through Soccer,” as well as into other derivative entities. Suffice it to say, my personal mission had become one whereby I desired to merge my faith journey with my sports background. That is when I began to discover the many talents of JPII, including in the area of sports.
As many of you know, JPII was an avid theatrical actor and sportsman. He loved skiing and soccer, as well as many other outdoor activities. During his papacy, he would demonstrate a passion for hiking in the outdoors, often noting that it brought him closer to God. Much of JPII’s thinking has now influenced me in my thought patterns not only concerning the area of sports, but in many other areas, too. In essence and as I had later discovered, my faith walk needed to be fully integrated into my life journey, including sports. Whatever I would end up doing—including in sports—I should have beendoing it for the Lord. Again, this took me a very long time to realize and to incorporate into my overall modus operandi. (Being a relatively hard-headed Italian-American didn’t help this either.) I’m sure it took me much longer to “get with the program” than it should have. I had a lot of proverbial “hick ups” and obstacles along the way.
I would, however (and by the grace of God), go on to create an uplifting children’s television show, “The Soccer Academy.” My intention was to create a positive and inspirational media platform that would encourage children to live healthy lives, to practice faith in God, and to combat negative issues such as racism and bigotry. It was also a program that helped spread a mission of “peace through sports” by exposing young soccer players and their families to the beauty of foreign culture. So, this “travelogue” of sorts became a great tool for teaching some of these principles in life: dignity, decency, and respect (among other virtues). I would also note that I was attempting to learn along the way as well. As a result, the journey with my kids soccer show was not about pontificating, but about encouraging all of us—together—to live better, healthier and faith-filled lives (including the “bigger kids” such as me).
While doing all of this, I began to look more deeply and closely at the teachings of JPII. I had visited the JPII Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. in 2007, and I was mesmerized by a glass-enclosed display with some of the former pope’s skis and soccer equipment. It was a reminder to me that we could live in this world withoutbeing “of this world.” We could take all that the Good Lord had given us, enjoy it in an appropriate way, and then share it as a gift with others. And so that became my approach to coaching sports and in doing the TV program.
Around the same time I also ran into a book in Italian, Pensieri sparsi (mentioned above). I tried to find an English translation, but I was not able to locate one. In any event (and even though I was born in Detroit), I did spend some of those formative years studying and playing soccer in Italy in the 80s. That experience, in turn, may have provided me with enough of a base to be able to garner an understanding of what I read in Italian.
As fate would have it, I would be sitting next to our Christmas tree a few weeks ago while praying and contemplating. It was early in the morning, the sun had not risen fully, and I was still a bit tired. Just then I noticed this book by JPII that I had forgotten about for many years—Pensieri sparsi (“Scattered thoughts”). I thought to myself, “What a great title. Let’s me open it back up.” To my surprise, I found an entire section dedicated to sports and healthy living. Those writings were much like JPII’s other writings—they were modern in that they addressed the current times in which we had been living, but they did not “cave into” the pressures of modernism. Those words were—and still are—progressive in that they allowed for growth into future time periods, but not in a manner that was disrespectful of the tradition or teachings of the Catholic Church. JPII’s words, in my opinion, areinspired in nature, similar to those we may find in the Holy Bible. JPII’s exhortations and encouragements in “Pensieri sparsi” are uplifting, intentional, and dignified. His words are meant to exalt the human spirit, and to bring us closer to our Creator.
With all of that as a backdrop, I will now try to share some of my thoughts from JPII’s writings in that amazing book, “Pensieri sparsi.”
Sports activity and the Cure of one’s Body (Attivita’ sportiva e la cura del corpo)
Paraphrased Translation: Sports today are characterized by a demand for … meaning. In sports, [we] have the need to give back to [that] sport not only the element of renewal [meaning, that we are renewed], but also a spirit of continuous dignity; above all [and through sports] there is the ability to arouse and support some deeper human needs, such as those of mutual respect, of a freedom that is not empty but one that is truly focused, replete with renunciation for a purpose.
So, we will extract some themes here that are advocated by Saint JPII. Those include, but are not limited to, the following concepts:
There is a fundamental need for:
+ Meaning in our lives;
+ A renewal of spirit;
+ Continuous dignity;
+ Mutual respect;
+ Freedom; and
+ A renunciation for a purpose
All of these are themes that are familiar to sports people. If they are not, they should be. But it is the context in which these words are written that is most compelling. The particular words in the Italian language that are used (found below in the End Notes) are quite enriching and edifying in nature. Those words do not “tear down” the human spirit in any way, nor do they diminish the strength and dignity of humanity; in fact, it is quite the opposite. JPII’s words inspire and elevate, encourage and promote. But, what do these words encourage and promote specifically? The promote goodness, dignity, respect, freedom, and sacrifice. That’s right: sacrifice for a purpose.
In fact, JPII is very specific about “sacrificing for a purpose.” He says in the context of both faith and sports, of course.
That “sacrificial component” and element is fundamentally important to me. After all, there is a true sacrifice to be made in the faith journey. And, it is not just a blind sacrifice or a sacrificial exercise for mere enlightenment in the worldly sense. Rather, it is a sacrifice of mind and body, so as to unite the body with the soul, thereby giving our entire “being” a sense ofpurpose. That sense of purpose is only found in, with, and through the Creator.
intendedSports allow us to engage in activity that is uplifting to our natural being and to our natural state in life. However (and we know all too well), we can use it for something good or we can use it for something bad. Pro athletes can be good role models, or they can choose to influence their fans negatively. We can use sports to praise the Lord our God, or we can utilize sports to our selfish advantage and thereby denigrate the very sanctity for which our bodies and spirits and souls were intended.
JPII goes on to give so much more here as well:
L’attivita’ atletica puo’ favorire la crescita delle energie interiori.
Rough Translation: Athletic activity can promote the growth of internal energy.
In this regard, JPII speaks about the harmony, courage and resoluteness that emerges as a result of practicing sports. It is also a reference to firmness of purpose.
L’agonismo sportivo deve essere subordinato alle esigenze dello spirito.
Rough Translation: Competition in sports must be subordinated to the needs of the spirit.
In essence, God comes first—always. The competitive elements of sports can be good and positive, but we must always remember that God is the reason for everything good in our lives. We should, therefore, celebrate the Lord as we engage in sports. The former pope also speaks about “fraternity” and “solidarity” in this regard, bringing to light the importance of both teamwork and nobility when engaging in sports. Sports should be played with the right intention in mind, and with dignity, respect and—most certainly—God at the forefront.
L’attivita’ sportiva non deve essere inquinata da interessi che le sono estranei.
Rough Translation: Sports activity must not be polluted by interests that are foreign to it.
The use of the word “poluted” here is significant and profound. As JPII also tells us here, “We need to be certain that sports do not lose their human dimension, made up of active play, of liberty, of socialization and of being in contact in nature.” On the other hand, sports can be disfigured, manipulated, and distorted for many of the wrong reasons and purposes—from money to praising professional athletes as mini-gods. These are not God’s intended purposes for sports. Sports need to be utilized to promote joy andrespect, as well as a situation whereby brotherhood and teamwork are promoted.
La violenza e’ una mostruosa assurdita’ quando viene attuata in occasione delle manifestazioni sportive.
Rough Translation: Violence is a monstrous absurdity when it is carried out on the occasion of sporting events.
Sports were not intended for violence, but rather for the edification of the body. And, as we are aware, the body is the literal and virtual “temple of the Holy Spirit.” When the body is used in an appropriate manner through sports, it encourages and uplifts, it does not denigrate and divide. Therefore, any form of violence demonstrated in and through sports is not the appropriate manner of engagement; it is not what God intended. We must also be sure to not praise the sporting event, sporting figures, and/or sporting venues. They are not “ends” in and of themselves. At all times, we should demonstrate respect, dignity, and faith while engaging in sports or while appreciating sports as fans.
Lo sport agonistico puo’ divenire un veicolo di fraternita’ e amicizia per gli spettatori.
Rough Translation: Competitive sport can become a vehicle of fraternity and friendship for the spectators.
Indeed, competitive sports are intended to become vehicles for fraternity and friendship. Some acronyms for “fraternity” are “brotherliness,” “brotherhood,” and “mutual support.”
Migliorare l’essere umano nella sua corporeita’ e’ celebrazione di vita.
Rough Translation: Improving our human essence through body is a celebration of life itself.
Well, it does not get much more poetic than this. As JPII, all of this athletic activity can—if placed in the appropriate context and order—contribute to the improvement of the corporal essence of humanity. Again, if done properly, athletic activity can and should be a celebration of life.
Even though there is so much more to say and write on this topic, this provides us with a background and a backdrop for truly incorporating our “sense of purpose” into our overall state in life. JPII, through these writings, reiterates the importance and significance of remaining connected to our lifeline—the Lord Jesus Christ. If we stay conncted to Him, we remainattached and affixed to the “vine.” For He reminds us of this in the Gospel of John:
John 15
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
In and through this passage, the Lord also reminds us that without Him we can do nothing. As a result, we must remain attached to Him.
Again, and in all of this, JPII underlines and emphasizes our inherent dignity as human beings and as members of the human family. He also provides us with a way to use sports for the promotion of human dignity, decency and respect. The Lord’s ways in this regard always lead to our betterment, and never for our demise—even if we have setbacks. The Lord can and will use all of it to promote the Kingdom of Heaven. All we need to do isto listen and participate, and to allow Him to do with us as He sees fit. The Lord is, after all, our good and loving Father. He only wants what is best for His children.
Here, too, may we have the strength and fortitude to emulate our most Blessed Mother in our pursuit of faith and in our pursuit of excellence in sports. Mama Mary challenges us boldly and courageously in this regard:
May it be done to me according to your word.
Luke 1:38
God bless you.
End Notes:
Original in Italian: Lo sport e’ oggi caratterizzato da una domanda di qualita’ di senso. Si averte la necessita’ di ridare allo sport son solo una rinnovata e continua dignita’, ma sopratutto la capacita’ di suscitare e di sostenere alcune esigenze umane piu’ profonde, come sono quelle del rispetto reciproco, di una liberta’ non vuota ma finalizzata, della rinuncia in funzione di uno scopo.
Rough Translation: Sport today is characterized by a demand for the quality of meaning. In sports, you have the need to give back to [that] sport not only the element of renewal [that you are renewed], but also a spirit of continuous dignity;above all, [and through sports] there is the ability to arouse and support some deeper human needs, such as those of mutual respect, of a freedom not empty but one focused, of renunciation for a purpose.
Source: Pensieri sparsi,1998 Neri Pozza Editore, pgs. 81 – 84