This is a guest post by Denise Gorss.
I love watching the Olympics. Summer or winter games, the spirit of camaraderie and competition draws me to the television. As the countdown to the next Olympic Games shortens, I’m thinking about what the games have in common with Ignatian spirituality.
- History—The modern Olympics date back to 1896, but the games originated in ancient times. Ignatian spirituality is a tradition dating back to the 16th century.
- Magis—Seeking the greater, the excellent, the best: this is how athletes achieve the right to compete on a world stage. This is also how we are called to serve Christ.
- Imagination—Part of the allure of the Olympics for a child is imagining that one day maybe he or she can bring a gold medal home. For followers of the Ignatian way, imaginative prayer invites us to a closer relationship with Jesus.
- Discipline—Any athlete can tell us that discipline is needed to maintain skills and improve. Discipline allows one praying to push through the difficult moments or the times when prayer feels dry or distracted to find the graces God has in store.
- Paying attention—An athlete looks for an optimal moment to make a push toward the finish line. An Ignatian looks for God’s presence in all things.
- Broad appeal—I’m not the only non-sports fan who is mesmerized by the Olympics and its bringing together of nationalities. And I’m delightfully surprised by the ecumenical appeal of Ignatian spirituality.
- Service—There are many volunteers who work behind the scenes to make a huge event like the Olympics run smoothly. We are called to live in service to each other.
What do you think the Olympic Games can teach us?
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, I am sure that this is not what you mean and I pray that I am wrong but, I think the Olympics will teach the British people that there are such things as “public goods” and that investment in infrastructure is essential. Also, as someone who passed through Heathrow terminal 5 on Thursday morning and fortunately didn’t have no wait in the non-EU line of immigration control, I think it may teach the Home Secretary that her xenophobia is a bit misplaced. It is chaos
I pray that the games may be safe and as non-chaotic for the British hosts as possible.
Thank you for this. I am not a fan of the Olympics – I am not against them, I just don’t really follow them however.
I love how you reframed the games in this post – finding God, and Ignatian spirituality, “in all things.”
Thank you, Fran. What’s strange is that I follow few sporting events outside the days of the Olympics, but I’ll try to catch as many events–even medal ceremonies for events I’ve missed–during the days they run.
Denise, this is such an imaginative way to apply Ignatian Spirituality. Thanks for helping me to look at the Olympics in this way.
Lynda, it’s my pleasure to be able to share here. I’m glad you found the post helpful.
Community – The olympics seem to draw us together as a country and even a world as we cheer on both the home town favorite and those who simply are awesome athletes with amazing back stories. Spiritually we need a community to support us in our Journey towards God.
Joy – In a world that so often focuses on horrors around us for a few weeks during the olympics we will turn our attention to the joy of the athlete who trys his or her best inspite of their unlikelyhood of winning for the joy of the sport not to mention the joy of those moments when the underdog wins or when a country who severely limits the rights of women allows them to attend for the first time. I think there will be alot of moments of joy/ goodness that will overflow into our world in the next few weeks which will be wonderful.
Maura, yes, joy! The emotions of the games may be what draws me to them.
Ignatius challenged us to do everything “for the greater glory of God.” He taught us how to find God in the present moment; in the relationships, challenges, frustrations, and feelings that we are experiencing today.
All of the athletes at the Olympics come together to not only represent their countries, but to compete for something bigger than themselves. There is unity. There is a sense of mutual respect, admiration, and appreciation that exists at the Olympics between all participants as well as those watching the events.
The participating athletes compete, engage, and interact with one another in an inspiring way. As we seek to find God in friends and colleagues, with affection and gratitude; in working together with others, we can take lessons from the athletes as they come to realize that their opponents have more in common with each other than they have differences.
Those whom we compete against, just not on the athletic fields, but in day to day life, those whom we struggle with and want to “beat,” are just people, like us, who have similar hopes, fears, and dreams. In the final analysis, we are all one.
Tim that is so beautifully put!
Tim, I agree with Fran–beautifully put!
Denise,
Like Fran, I can’t claim to be a big fan of the Olympics, but I was fascinated by this post when you first showed it to me.
I love the creativity of your piece and I think that may point us to another aspect of Ignatian spirituality. In inviting us to labor with His Son, God calls us to be, in a sense, co-creators of the Reign of God. Our imaginations and our creativity can be harnessed in the service of our sisters and brothers.
How wonderful is that?
Paul
Wonderful! Imagination is one of the things that appeals to me most about Ignatian spirituality. And, Paul, I think your notes here sound like the start of another post.
Denise,
This is a wonderful analogy. I love Maura’s additional comment about community as well. Looking forward to all the positive aspects of the Olympics. Thanks for sharing such an insightful perspective.
Jody, you’re welcome. I like having a positive world event to look forward to.
Imagination: I now imagine myself as “the oldest person ever to win a gold medal in this event” when I’m watching the Olympics. If I can imagine that, imaginative prayer should be a snap.
Jim, I’m not sure how old the oldest person to medal was (a fun trivia fact I’ll have to look up later–conflicting data on a fast search), but the drive of athletes at any age is impressive. And I agree that with some of the things our minds let us imagine, imaginative prayer can be effective.
Great post, Denise. Thank you. I love the way you connect the Olympic Games and Ignatian Spirituality. This is very well done!
Magis is something I could focus more in my life…
Thank you, Claire. As to magis, I think focusing on “more” is always the point, right?
To never give up!
Excellent addition, Monica.