London, England, Jul 28, 2012 / 08:03 am
Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster reminded Olympians this afternoon that the deepest meaning of sporting achievement is giving "glory to their maker."
"We will see many fine sports men and women use their bodies, their minds and their spirits in the quest for glory. But the message of the Gospel goes deeper. It reminds us, vividly, that our bodies are for the glory of God," Archbishop Nichols said at a July 28 Mass to give thanks for the London Olympics.
"Indeed our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This does not detract from that physical achievement of sport, with its beauty, symmetry, harnessing of speed, finesse and power. Rather it enhances those achievements and gives them their deepest purpose – that of giving glory to their Maker," he said.
The special Mass at London's Westminster Cathedral came less than 24 hours after the official opening of the 30th Olympiad in the city's east end. During the next two weeks the English capital will play host to over 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries.