The Olympic Games Rio
2016 has started on Friday, 5th August in Rio de Janeiro and it will
end on Sunday, 21st August. Some of you would have watched the
opening ceremony and are already in the ‘Olympic’ mood watching the athletes’
performances.
The Holy Father, Pope
Francis has announced the universal prayer intentions for the month of August: “That sports may be an opportunity for
friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world.”
The Pope also says, “I
dream of sports as the practice of human dignity, turned into a vehicle of
fraternity.”
He is hoping and
praying that every Christian will help to bring about world peace through this
Olympics Games Rio 2016. As we keep track of the athletes’ performances and all
the Rio Olympic news, our Holy Father wants every Christian to live the Gospel
values, giving witness to our faith, to be honest and love one another.
Sport has historically played an
important role in our societies. Sport has benefited and contributed strongly
in various aspects especially for individual development, health, humanitarian,
social integration and development of peace building.
When I was a young boy I involved very much in sports mainly as a long distance runner and in football. Sports had built me a better platform in my outreach with my Malay, Chinese and Indian friends. We participated together and competed against each other in sports and this further strengthened our solidarity and fraternity despite all the differences. Today our children and young people are spending a lot of time surfing their Internet and no longer go outside and play or mix with their peers. It is weakening them to gather together towards a common goal, promoting fellowship, solidarity, and peace.
When I was a young boy I involved very much in sports mainly as a long distance runner and in football. Sports had built me a better platform in my outreach with my Malay, Chinese and Indian friends. We participated together and competed against each other in sports and this further strengthened our solidarity and fraternity despite all the differences. Today our children and young people are spending a lot of time surfing their Internet and no longer go outside and play or mix with their peers. It is weakening them to gather together towards a common goal, promoting fellowship, solidarity, and peace.
The world has changed a
lot. Today's world is not a safe place to allow our kids to go out and play. Terrorist
attacks, crime and violence take place everywhere in the world killing and
injuring thousands
of innocent lives and threaten our people’s safety. The threat rates are going
higher and higher each day. Many terrorist groups continue to plan and carry
out attacks without treasuring the gospel values of peace, fraternity and human
dignity.
As we follow the Olympic Games,
let us learn to use sports as an important investment not only for our physical
activities or play but also for developing peace, fraternity and human dignity.
Children and adults alike, do take part in various sports for your own benefit
and to build a community spirit. Let us keep fit while praying the intention of
the Holy Father for the present and future of our families, community and
nation.
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