Recently I attended a meeting with Priest colleagues in Bath. I am sometimes unsettled in such company. It is so lovely to imagine them with their own church, leading their congregations in the way they feel is right. It is as if the complicated and unpredictable nature of my working environment – alongside people where they are, in the marketplace of life - rubs off on me. I sometimes feel like I have smoking bullet holes in both lapels! When I am feeling vulnerable, this can make me feel I am in the second division!
Chaplains find themselves usually the guest and rarely the host. Our work takes us to be alongside people where they are, and when we pause and reflect, we realise that it is always a privilege. Paul writes:
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9: 18-23)
I have found myself working as ‘padre’ to the performance rugby squad in the university. I attend the start of training on Monday mornings so I can meet the players and the players meet me. It is fantastic to support these athletes juggling the discipline of training alongside studies and university life. My brief in the coaching squad is to support bereavement and emotional issues, wellbeing, gender inclusion, and citizenship. How do we train players to be aggressive on the field but not in the SU bar? My weekly visits pay off. The players get to know me, and this can lead to some interesting conversation about a variety of subjects, and occasionally including faith. It is rewarding to be invited to come alongside these young men as they steer their way through the complexities of young adult life in our community.
This week they won their game against Leeds Beckett. The score 36-10 suggests a decisive victory. It was an exciting game to watch. I was pleased for the boys. At the end of the game, we circled together, and the coaches fed back. I was surprised that the coaches were harsh in their critique on many aspects of this win. A sports psychologist said that this was a coaching tactic. When players have won a game, they are often more receptive to criticism! And the boys were listening, nodding and clearly taking the feedback on board. They were self-disciplined athletes.
And this leads me to Paul’s second ‘nudge’. He goes on:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9: 24-27)
Paul here reminds us of the importance of our own life discipline and (spiritual) training.
Respond
