Baptismal Questions

In this past week’s Gospel, we are shown the way to Baptismal living.

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.  John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.  I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

Baptismal Questions

One of the men in my men’s spirituality group posed an interesting question the other day:  “Why does the Son of Man need to be baptized?”  Hmm something to ponder, think about, immerse ourselves in.  This made me think of the definition of the word baptize.

Baptize is Greek for “Baptidzein” meaning to plunge, immerse, go below the surface.  So the challenge, I know for me, of living a baptismal life, as my Pastor often time refers to, is a life long journey or challenge to plunge below the surface of my life to find Truth, Truth about God, Life, Others, and Self.  So what does this look like in sports?  What does living a baptismal life look like on the playing fields?  How do we get there?

Many theologians have referred to the need to introspect before having a truthful perspective in life.  This makes sense to me, in other words trying to find peace within, before having peace outside.  I love the quote by Saint Augustine who says, “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”

So where do we start?  Much like the gentlemen in my men’s spirituality group, one of the ways I become “baptismal” is when I ask questions.  So I thought it might be beneficial to revisit some basic questions from a sports perspective to help us find peace, on and off the fields.  I have found that when I read questions and contemplate them in silence, there are many times things come into my soul that both scare me and comfort me, “Holy Spirit and fire.”  So here are some questions that have helped me out in the past.  Let us pray that we allow, or that we can “swallow,” as much of the Truth on this day as we can.  God Bless.

Coaches:

• What is my definition of a coach?
• Does this definition change when I think about Christ?
• What is my purpose as a coach?
• Does my purpose change when I think about Christ?
• Why am I coaching?
• What do I hope my players say about me, sixty years from now?

Parents:

• Why are my kids playing sports?
• What do I hope my kids get out of playing sports?
• What does my child making the varsity team mean to me (as a parent)?
• What does my child not making the varsity team mean to me (as a parent)?

Players:

• Why am I playing sports?
• Do I feel pressure when playing sports?  Where does this pressure come from?
• When you win a game, how does it make you feel?  Why?
• When you lose a game, how does it make you feel?  Why?

For All:

• Do I try to fit faith into sports?
• Or does my sports experience come from the context of Him?