Article 2 - October 17th, 2022 by Fr. Ben Daghir

[Pompeii]

The majority of popular sports deal with the same general principle: one must hit the target with a ball and, as a result, a score is recorded. 

We see this principle in basketball with the ball through the hoop, hockey with the puck into the back of the net, golf with the ball in the hole, baseball with the ball crossing over home plate, soccer with the ball into the goal, bowling with the ball hitting the pins, tennis with the ball bouncing in a specific part of the court, etc. 

Could it be mere coincidence that the majority of sports follow this same underlying principle? Or, could it speak of something more fundamental to our human nature?

Human beings love excellence, consistency, and the bullseye. We have a deep admiration for accuracy, precision, and perfection. Interestingly, the Biblical narrative reflects this aspect of our humanity in how it presents sin. 

The word “sin” in Hebrew [hhatah] means “off the mark.” The word “sin” is an archery term which implies a lack of accuracy, precision, and perfection. Sin, therefore, is a privation of excellence. It is being off target, off the mark. The target, of course, is to do good and to avoid evil. We sin when we miss the mark of doing good and, instead, are off the mark in doing evil. 

Now, our popular sports reflect an appreciation of this principle. The star athletes and the championship teams display excellence in hitting their respective marks. On the contrary, players and teams who fail to hit the mark are not rewarded. In fact, we get rather frustrated when an excellent golfer hits a double bogey, a baseball player strikes out, and a basketball star misses an easy basket. Simply put, we instinctively are turned away from that which is “off the mark.” We desire to do good and to avoid evil because we are fundamentally made in the image and likeness of God. 

St. Paul knew this when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Paul then adds, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:25). Paul is indicating that the general principle which undergirds sports is a reflection of something deep within our human nature. Paul also writes, “Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air” (1 Corinthians 9:26). In other words, Paul explains that the Christian demand is to cross the finish line as opposed to aimlessly running and to hit the target as opposed to aimlessly punching thin air. 

So, what is this short reflection on sports trying to accomplish? Sports reflect something profoundly true concerning our human nature: we desire to do good and to avoid evil. We award, and rightfully so, those who hit the target with precision and accuracy. Likewise, we do not award those who are off the mark. Thus, sports are a reflection of a much greater, more important challenge – “run in such a way as to get the prize” as Paul says. Our goal is to hit the target - eternal life. 
 

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Fr. Ben Daghir is a priest for the Diocese of Erie. He is a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School in Saint Marys, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, and St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. He considers writing one of his favorite hobbies.