Is the circle of our compassion limited by the suffering we see on prime time national television? Because that is the thing—so much of the suffering that football inflicts is hidden from view.
Sports
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The Holy Spirit descends on a high school wrestling meet in South Dakota
If you would have asked me ahead of time, my hunch—fair or not—would have been that a gymnasium filled with wrestlers’ parents and fans, particularly in the western reaches of rural South Dakota, would not have a lot of empathy and patience for needy little creatures threatening to disrupt their earnest games.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
The top five U.S. Catholic newsmakers of 2022: From an activist nun to a Supreme Court justice
What Catholics made the most news in 2022, and for what? A year-end list with America’s choices.
Posted inArts & Culture, Short Take
Argentina vs. France: Whom should Catholics root for in the World Cup final?
France has long been known as “the eldest daughter of the church.” Argentina is the home of Pope Francis. What’s a Catholic to do?
Posted inFaith
As their World Cup team advances, Argentines call on folk saints for help
Many Argentines have been rooting vocally for their national team, but taking care to pray to the country’s many folk saints.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
War, human rights abuses, corruption, banned beer: None of it will stop the magic of the World Cup.
Despite the headlines of worker deaths, FIFA corruption and L.G.B.T. human rights violations (and yes, banned beer), billions around the world welcome the World Cup with relief.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Baseball and forgiveness: It’s time for me to put my Astros grudge in the trash can
Before I’m a baseball fan, I’m a Christian. And Jesus is pretty clear about forgiveness.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Take me out to the ballgame: The majesty (and agony) of playoff baseball
Live baseball is more sublime and spiritually satisfying than any other sporting event—even when your team loses.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
What does the Catholic Church say about cheating?
How many of us know real-world cheaters who have just plain gotten ahead, not despite their short-cutting but because of it?
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis: Sports can be a path to redemption
Pope Francis urged athletes in many sports to fight against a throwaway culture that “treats men and women as products, to be used and then discarded.”