March guest column for Sr. Diana Rawlings

It’s that time of year again. Entering office pools, sitting on bar stools, and forgetting all responsibilities outside of refilling your plate during commercial breaks.

It’s heart-pounding, blood-pumping, knee-knocking, jaw-dropping, nail-biting madness. March madness.

Whether you’re a Cornhusker or a Boilermaker, a Jayhawk or a Wildcat, a Sundevil or a Bluedevil, you sport your silly stripes with pride during NCAA’s annual basketball tournament. Never mind the oddity of your mascot; what matters is that you have an allegiance – and a civic duty to cheer your lungs out.

As a longtime Nebraska fan, I love the excitement March Madness generates. But as a Vocations Director, I can’t help but look at the spectacle with a certain wistfulness. If only Catholics showed half the enthusiasm for the church that fans show for college basketball.

It may sound naive, but humor me for a moment.

Games consume the true sports aficionado. An incredible amount of energy revolves around “the big game.” Fans talk it up big beforehand – making predictions, tuning into pre-game sportscasts, planning the day around the match. During the game, they barely lift their eyes from the screen to ensure that the buffalo wings find a way into their mouths. Afterwards, every detail of the game is analyzed – watching post-game interviews, debating the officiating, assessing athletes’ performances.

The Catholic equivalent of “the big game” is the holy Mass. With the Eucharist at the climax, it is our highest form of worship. Imagine if Catholics approached Mass as sports fans approach “the big game.” We’d pore over the Scripture readings beforehand, wondering how the priest would interpret them, debating which songs would be sung and anticipating the Eucharist. During Mass, we’d be in our most attentive state. It’s one precious hour, 60 fleeting minutes; better really focus. Afterwards, we’d analyze the whole liturgy – discussing the music, dissecting the homily, reflecting on the Eucharist. And before you know it, we’d be thinking about the next Mass.

Then there’s the fans’ reverence for star athletes, memorizing their stats and keeping tabs on their performance. That translates to Catholics admiring saints, or perhaps even priests, sisters and brothers – learning about their call to religious life, inviting them over to dinner, following which parish they serve. Given their important role in building the Kingdom of God, such measures only seem fitting. And imagine how they would open children and young adults to the exciting possibility of religious life.

As Vocation Director for the US Region of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, I see just how important enthusiasm and team spirit is in encouraging new vocations. Most priests and religious credit the invitation, or positive encouragement they received from others as a vital component of their decision to enter religious life. So let’s cheer on our young people and encourage them to train for active roles in our Church as priests, sisters, brothers and committed lay members of the Catholic Community.

Members of Team Catholic have a huge advantage. Our coach has an impeccable record. He’s prepared his athletes well with a detailed blueprint for living: the Bible. Best of all, he’s given us opportunities to receive his transforming grace at every corner: the Sacraments. God will guide us toward our goals – if we listen, pray, and seek his grace in the sacraments.

Amidst a flurry of NCAA speculation, I can make one prediction with confidence: Whoever wins the tournament will have great teamwork. They’ll rely on every player in every position to help advance the team. The athletes will know when to take the shot and when to pass. And it won’t be surprising when they win the championship.

As Catholics, our goal is even loftier than a first-place trophy; we’re striving for heaven. And we’re called to operate as a team – as one body with many parts – to help each other get there.

This March, pause from the madness to make sure you’re doing your part for the team that matters most.