The overtime victories of Team USA against Team Canada in men’s and women’s ice hockey at the Winter Olympics were the cause of resounding rejoicing south of the Canadian border, and of national stunned sadness, if not depression, to the north. Both nations’ squads played hard and the results could have gone either way. Losing in sudden death overtime is a bitter conclusion to sixty minutes of playing the opponent to a draw. “Could have, should have, would have” thoughts give little consolation. Yet the Canadians lost in a hard-fought effort to an opponent who showed the kind of grit that Americans have admired in Canadian skaters ever since the organized game started being played in Montreal in 1875.

What does all this teach us about life? Competitive team sports are lessons in how we are called by God to give our all in pursuing athletic excellence, knowing that we will on many occasions not attain victory. Our training and our efforts on the ice rink or the playing field form us as persons who strive to develop our talents and abilities.

Just so, we are each called to develop our mind and our will in the things of God. We are meant to struggle against laziness and dissipation that hinder us from being vibrant servants of God and of our neighbor. We may not always reach the level of success or satisfaction that we seek, but we should give thanks that God has allowed us to strive for what we know to be pleasing to him.

Good sportsmanship is the demanding standard that dedicated athletes hold themselves to. At the end of the Olympic Finals, both teams lined up and shook hands at center ice before the medals were awarded. While winning the gold medal matters, recognizing the losing team’s efforts comes first. Being a good competitor is more important than being a winner. Success is fleeting, but habits of fair play and sincere appreciation of others mold us into the kind of people God wants us to be.

Our relationship with God grows stronger when we pursue a high standard in our prayer life, our works of charity and our efforts to know our faith better through study and reflection. There is great satisfaction in knowing that we are doing what God calls us to do in a whole-hearted and sacrificial spirit.

Pro-lifers are used to making sacrifices to promote the just cause of protecting innocent human life. We can take inspiration from the examples of magnanimity and good spirit set by Olympic athletes in victory and defeat. God rewards all good efforts to serve him and our neighbor, especially those who are defenseless against evil. Let us make good use of all our talents to promote what is true, good and beautiful in the sight of God.