An Ode to Joy: Sports and Spirituality Style

The two great religious holidays for Christians, Easter and Christmas cannot be understood or appreciated without one important sentiment, one striking virtue: joy. 

Thinking about this Easter joy prompted me to read a postcard with the message "She practices random acts of joy" a little differently. This colorful placard named "36 things that bring Deborah Lloyd joy." The designer, created an Ode to Joy in naming experiences, memories and even sensory delights that strike joy—"in no particular order." I circled the ones that resonated with me and created my own list, Sports and Spirituality style.

Sports

1. A good "no-look" pass
2. Buster Hugs (San Francisco Giants catcher, Buster Posey)
   
3. Putting for birdie , Making the putt for birdie
4. Multi-sport athletes
5. Drive of the day! (golf)
6. The runner's high
7. Being sore, the day after a workout
8. Hang time (volleyball)
9. Three up, three down (baseball—by your own team when on defense)
10. Cresting the hill
11. Coffee after the a.m. workout 
12. Swish!
13. The Zamboni
14. Stories from Bengal Bouts
15. The "Rocky" theme
16. Watching a talented hurdler run his or her race
17. The language of rowing (crew)
    
18. The sound of rowing (from within the boat)
19. A good tight end (interpret as you may....but please think football)
20. The Masters
21. The Olympic Club
22. Steam or sauna?
23. Michael Phelps swimming Butterfly—the most beautiful and challenging stroke in swimming
24. SI girls' (and boys') golf
25. Watching DeShone Kizer and Will Fuller on the sidelines, breathing heavily, smiling and recalling the play they just executed for a TD
26. Mile 26 of the marathon (it ends at 26.2)
27. Band of the Fightin' Irish
28. A good rivalry: ND vs. USC, Giants vs. Dodgers, SI vs. SHCP
29. ESPN's "30 for 30"
30. Wheels (the perfect way to describe a fast athlete)
31. World Series parade(s)
32. Game, set, match: Serena Williams
33. Keeping score at a baseball game (especially with my brother)
34. Bookstore Basketball 
35. "Thompson for 3!!!"
36. The Warriors pregame dance

Spirituality

1. Forgiveness
2. John 3:16
3. Shrine of St. Jude
4. The blue on the habit of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's religious community)
5. St. Dominic's parish
6. Catholic education
7. The Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE teaching program)
8. Notre Dame—Our Lady
9. The University of Notre Dame
10. The Grotto
11. Team chaplains
12. Sts. Francis and Clare
13. Caravaggio's "Doubting Thomas"
    
14. James Martin, SJ 
15. Angels
16. Romero Center
17. Homeboy Industries
18. The Eucharist: both species
19. Take Lord, Receive
20. Holy Thursday Mass
21. Nature
22. Baccalaureate Mass
23. First Reconciliation
24. The sign of peace
25. Parish Fall Festivals
26. Answered prayers
27. Unanswered prayers 
28. The Annunciation
    
29. World Youth Day
30. Retreats
31. The prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola
32. Grace before meals
33. Taking a stand for life, all life
34. "Peter's Confession of Jesus"/"Who Do You Say That I Am?"
35. The Incarnation
36. His life, death, and resurrection

He is Risen! Easter joy!
A Happy and Holy Easter!

Photo Credits
Easter Joy
Kizer