Here in Rome, we just finished our exams. But what is more important to some is that we just finished our fubito tournament. (Fubito is basically soccer in a hockey rink with Astroturf instead of ice.)
My team won the regular season by piling up the goals, averaging 4 a game, but without much of a defense, averaging almost 3 goals per game. However, in the semi-finals we were set against the best defensive team, which had shut out their opponents three times in five games.
Early in the game the goaltender when out to the corner to get a ball but my teammate stole it and passed it back to me, I immediately fired towards the other side of the net — it was wide open — but then, at the last moment, the hand of the goaltender came into view grabbing the ball inches in front of the net. Minutes later they hit a hard shot into the corner of our goal, we responded by chipping past the goalie’s right side on a breakaway, then in overtime, they connected a perfect crossing pass; 2-1, we were eliminated. Later, they took the final, again 2-1 in overtime.
It may surprise some but sports are part of our formation in the seminary; we don’t just pray and study theology. As the old saying goes mens sana in copore sane (a healthy mind in a healthy body). Team sports teach teamwork, my teammate gave me a perfect pass; and despite my effort the brother in goal was quicker that I. (A dose of humility.)
After losing, I can’t be too disappointed. I gave my best and that is what Christ asks each of us. Humility is admitting our own strengths and weaknesses. St Teresa of Avila said that humility is truth. Except for Jesus and Mary, nobody is perfect in everything so we need to admit our own weaknesses with humility. Having others around who are better than you in certain things definitely helps with this. This is part of the joy of community life that the Legion gives us all.
