Reflection Paper - Faith and Life through Sport

“Give the Best of Yourself – Faith and Life through Sport”

This month (November), we celebrate ‘Sport’ in the Archdiocesan plan for the Jubilee Year 2025.

Below is a summary of the document ‘Giving the best of yourself’ published by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life on the Christian perspective on Sport and the Human Person (1 June, 2018).

Sport is a universal human gift that unites people beyond language, culture, and background.

On the field or court, we discover that we all share the same hopes — the desire to grow, to belong, and to give our best. In this way, sport becomes a language of peace and friendship, teaching us that we are one human family under God.

When we give our best in sport, we also learn how to give our best in life and in faith. Every training session, every match, and every challenge can remind us of our Christian journey — where effort, perseverance, and joy lead us toward holiness.

The athlete who strives with discipline mirrors the believer who lives with faith and purpose.

The human person is not only body, but also soul and spirit. True growth means caring for all three — strengthening our bodies, deepening our hearts, and lifting our spirits toward God. Sport, when lived well, helps us integrate these parts of ourselves in harmony.

Through sport, we learn many virtues: courage to face trials, sacrifice for others, justice in fair play, patience in defeat, and perseverance in struggle. These are not only athletic values, but Gospel values — the same virtues that Christ lived and calls us to live daily.

True freedom in sport does not mean doing whatever we want. It means choosing discipline, self-control, and respect. Freedom is found when we play with responsibility and integrity, not when we seek glory at any cost.

Teamwork and solidarity remind us that we never journey alone. We depend on one another, and together we overcome selfishness and division.

A good team spirit reflects the communion of the Church — many members, one body in Christ.

At the heart of sport is joy — the pure joy of play, friendship, and life shared together. This joy is a reflection of God’s own delight in His creation. When sport is lived in this spirit, it becomes a celebration of life and community.

But there are also risks: doping, corruption, greed, and exclusion can destroy the beauty of sport. These temptations remind us to purify our motives and keep the human person at the center, not profit or prestige.

The Church supports sport as a true school of life and faith — a place where we can encounter God, grow in virtue, and build fraternity. In sport, we learn that greatness comes not from winning, but from loving.

Pope Francis said: “Do not settle for mediocrity; give the best of yourself!” This call echoes to every person today. Whether in sport, study, or service, God invites each of us to give our best — body, soul, and spirit — in love and joy.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does “give the best of yourself” mean to you personally? 

2. How does giving your best in sport relate to giving your best in faith?

3. What value or virtue have you learned through sport or teamwork?

4. At what age should we cultivate these virtues in our children?

5. How can we make our community life more inclusive and Christ-centred?

Fr Lawrence D’Souza 

You can read the entire document on www.laityfamilylife.va

नोव्हेंबर महिन्यासाठी चिंतन.pdf

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