To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 7, Day 3 – There are No Participation Trophies

Mark C. McCann | 01/01/2025

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27

It has been said that young people today have no idea what it means to win. A whole generation has grown up receiving praise and participation trophies for mediocre effort in sports, music, dance, and many other arenas. Instead of teaching our children to strive for the good and live disciplined lives for Christ, we too often settle for the easy message that everyone gets a trophy just for showing up. Perhaps this refers to worldly success alone. Still it has ramifications for the way we run the race for our souls.

God calls us to live out our Christian lives as a race to the finish line. We cannot be mere spectators of our faith. We need to jump in the game and give our all to the goal of getting to heaven. Too many Catholic men fail to get involved in the life of the Church, hoping instead that they can gain heaven from the bleachers. They stay away from the Mass and the sacraments, keep their Bibles closed, and make little time for prayer. God deserves better than that. The Gospel is too important for us to keep to the sidelines of our faith. We need to be active participants in sharing the Good News of Jesus with all the world.

Questions for Reflection

Do you participate actively in running the race to reach Christ? What steps can you take to become more active in the Church?

What are the biggest obstacles in your life right now that might keep you from running and finishing the race?

Praying with Scripture

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tm 4:7)

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE

You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE

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About the Author

Mark C. McCann

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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.