The Holy Father gave a recent delegation of New Zealanders a
'talking to' about the over-saturation of sports in their culture, often at the expense of religious duties. According to the Holy Father, Kiwis are caving in to an 'unrestrained secularism' and becoming 'besotted with fun.'
'Besotted with fun' has instantly become one of my favorite phrases of all time, and I intend to use it as frequently as possible. (See
this article as well.)
Interesting, because I always associate sports with recreation, and therefore assume it is justifiable on the Sabbath. It's very true, though, that sports can often cease to be recreation, and become either a secularized, commercialized industry, on the one hand, or a pointless, carnal diversion, on the other. What is needed, I suppose, is a way to integrate athletics into the larger picture of faith and family, which must be the cornerstone of the Sunday celebration. Maybe a family rugby game in the parish hall. Ever wary, mind you, of becoming 'besotted with fun.'
