When I came to Ireland many years ago I was told “people make a sport of their religion and a religion of their sport”! It is true that sport is taken very seriously. Indeed there may even be something of the religious fervour of bygone times to it.
There are annual pilgrimages to Croke Park in Dublin from all parts of the country to attend the finals of our national games of Gaelic Football and Hurling. These are splendid occasions with the flags of the competing counties colouring the stadium. The games are preceded by the junior finals to give the rising generation taste of playing in front of a crowd of 86,000.
The culture honours its traditions with due regard to the history of the games and the remembrance of past victories and players. It is part of the glue which holds Ireland together!
In addition there are “foreign” games which command a growing importance, especially now that soccer teams are playing at European level. But this day it is all about rugby!
Ireland’s team beat the mighty New Zealand side two weeks ago in Chicago. This momentous event had never happened before in 29 attempts over 111 years! In fact when it comes to rugby New Zealand were considered unbeatable. To even contemplate back to back victories is unthinkable.
The media and the bookies agree it is not going to happen. Sadly they were correct!
When it comes to religion it must be acknowledged that all religions are not the same. There are those which by diligent attention to various duties and obligations seek to attain their goal.
And there is Christianity which is dependent on the work of another.
It is faith in the sufficiency of His work (Jesus on the cross) and not on the individual’s performance or the collective performance of the church that St Peter says brings you across the line, “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts chapter 4 verse 12).
Is it too daunting, too impossible to think about. Like getting the ball at the line and only have to fall over to win the game. In fact it’s better. You are carried over the line by God’s grace, “It is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 8 – 9). Our contribution is the faith with which we have been gifted!
The Irish rugby team return to the training ground with sore limbs after a couple of days off. Believers have no days off!
Christians have been chosen to carry the life–changing message of the grace of the Saviour King with us wherever we go. Our training is ‘on the job’. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ,… “We implore you on behalf of Christ. Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 20).