Thank you, Isaac, for your recent postings, especially on the Catholic blogosphere. Reflecting on the idea of "charity" made me think about other areas of our lives as well. Has our world forgotten about charity? No, I don't think it has forgotten, but it is easy to pass up.
Today the Young Adult Council of the Diocese of Fort Worth hosted a Flag Football tournament for charity. This is the fourth annual tournament and each year the winning team's name goes on the trophy. Maybe it is the fact that there is a trophy, or that people get really into football, or the simple nature of competition that lies within most of us, but parts of the day can be rough.
Of course we want to do our best and beat the other teams, but people easily forget that this is for fun. Emotions get high, the attitudes change and taunting words come out. Today I had to tell two people to "chill out, this is for fun." We forget that it is a day for fellowship and supporting the two places that would be receiving our money (the Sisters of Mary of Namur and the Loretto house, a place of those who are considering abortions and other critical life issues). Games are not fun when people get too rough, too competitive, and have unsportsmanship behavior - we all know this. It's sad to know that that can impact the day for someone. Praise God for the teams that do come out for fun and don't care if they win or lose.
As Apprentice Catechetical Leaders, what can we do to encourage charity in our world today?
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4 comments:
"Games are not fun when people get too rough, too competitive, and have unsportsmanship behavior..."
I don't know anyone in Echo who gets too competitive... do you, Tae? ;)
(jk. You've gotten sooo much better! Thanks, Anna!)
Few are charitable in sports. It's not impossible, but improbable.
One of the only charitable sporting events I've taken part in regularly is Echo Ultimate Pool.
i can't say that i've gotten all that much better (it is quite difficult to turn down my natural desire to win and be the best), but whatever progress has happened is because of Anna. so gratitude towards her is truly in order.
in regards to not caring who wins or loses, i have to somewhat disagree. im all about recognizing effort and having a fun time, but that could go to an extreme just as much-giving trophies to everyone, not counting scores at games, and in general settling for complacency. Again im not saying that taunting and tempers are ok, but lets not just celebrate mediocrity here either by saying that games should just be fun.
that being said, sports bring out the best and worst in people especially me and im grateful to have people in my life who don't care about sports as much as i (or my college friends) do so we can get some perspective on things-(you know who you are). thanks!
Tae, you're right, it is good to recognize people's hard work and effort they put into games and to award a winner, because in sports there are winners and losers.
I think it's possible to be competitive and charitable - it's all about having a good attitude and how we treat the other team. Friendly banter can be fun, but when it turns into taunting and glares, people need an attitude check.
I think Echo volleyball is also a chariable sporting event most of us have taken part of. :)
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