While out for a jog at a local park on a quiet summer day, an unusual sight in the distance caught my attention. It was a lone figure on the football field, and I could tell there was something special and different about the guy out there on the turf.
He repeatedly and methodically kicked the ball with precise technique; his movements were graceful and powerful.
Drawn by curiosity, I jogged closer to the field to get a better look. As I neared, it became clear: the guy practicing in solitude on that summer day was Ravens star Justin Tucker, arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history.
Greatness doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of daily dedication and effort. Tucker, who is a practicing Catholic, is famous for his record-setting consistency and long-distance kicks at critical moments in big games before tens of thousands of fans with millions more watching on television. His ability to perform on the big stage with the bright lights shining is a result of his willingness to put in the work when no one is watching – like on those days at a local park.
Tucker’s process calls to mind the practice of our Catholic faith. We can dutifully attend Mass on Sunday – call it our “game day,” as we gather in worship. Yet, what do we do to strengthen our faith on all the days when there’s no large gathering – when we’re at home, at work, out for a jog, on a walk or driving in our car? If our goal in life is to grow closer to our Lord, do we pursue daily exercise to facilitate that growth?
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, also a practicing Catholic, uses the phrase “stacking days” when describing his team’s work on the practice field that builds throughout the week so the players can be in peak form on game day. Daily prayer and reflection can be the foundation of how we as Christians “stack days” in our growth.
Athletes develop communities in which they exchange training tips and techniques. We can do the same in sharing how we commit daily to building our faith. My process starts with morning reading from the Christian Prayer book, also known as the Liturgy of the Hours. It’s 10 to 15 minutes of praise and thanksgiving for the gift of the day ahead. I follow that with the daily Gospel reading and reflection on the Hallow app on my phone.
My commute to and from work is 35 to 40 minutes each way. I dedicate most of that time to a number of Catholic podcasts that include prayer, reflection, conversation or information regarding church teachings. While news and sports talk radio offer some meaningful bits of information, I find greater peace and purpose in my day when I hear less of the “noise” of our world and more of the word of our Lord.
My wife, Megan, and I have two young sons and we include them in family prayer at home. In addition, sessions of solitude are needed to establish a truly personal, one-on-one connection and conversation with God. Seek silence however and wherever possible. Get away from the busy screens and noisy alerts that constantly bombard us. Distraction is detrimental to deep, meaningful prayer.
Like any important endeavor, a daily commitment to work is vital. Tending to what is immediate to reach what is ultimate is not always an easy or convenient choice. The commitment is constant, the struggles are inevitable, persistence is required and the payoff can be fulfilling.
I encourage you to build a team that could include family, friends, neighbors or co-workers and share ideas to “stack days” on a daily journey to grow closer to God. On those days that you’re on your own, remember Tucker kicking field goals in solitude at the park. To be great, we must be willing to do the work when no one is looking, but know that God is always with us.
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