A DOMINICAN priest has urged Thomasian student-athletes to avoid “shadowboxing” in the way they demonstrate their belief in God, warning them against treating their faith as a mere outward display.
During the kick-off mass for UAAP Season 89, Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. reminded student-athletes that the discipline and determination they bring to their sport should also shape the way they live out their faith.
“Shadowboxing in our faith is just like posting Bible verses, but gossiping after. It is also like wearing the cross, but taking shortcuts, skipping the line. It is like preaching teamwork, but in reality, you are selfish,” Cansancio said at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish church on Friday, Sept. 11.
Citing the first reading where St. Paul explained the sacrifices he made for the sake of preaching the Gospel, Cansancio drew a parallel between Christian life and an athlete’s pursuit of victory, urging the student-athletes to “play with purpose.”
He emphasized that faith, like athletic training, requires intentional effort and a clear purpose rather than simply going through the motions.
“In your training, you do not only jog. You sprint, you push, you have a goal. It is the same with life and in faith. You do not just show up to practice. You do not just show up to Mass,” he said.
Cansancio, the director of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, also cautioned the athletes against losing their faith while pursuing success or becoming an inspiration to others. He urged the Thomasian athletes to remain grounded in their relationship with God as the grapple with the demands of competition.
“You can inspire the whole team and still lose yourself if you do not stay faithful,” he said.
The priest also reminded Thomasians that winning the “imperishable crown” requires the same discipline they bring to competition, but with the goal of remaining faithful to God.
“Real athletes do not fake training. Real disciples do not fake holiness,” he added.
Cansancio encouraged the student-athletes to give the same attention to their spiritual lives as they do to their physical preparation.
“The gym or the weight room matters, but so does the chapel,” he said.
The mass marked the start of the University’s UAAP Season 89 kick-off activities, bringing together the University’s athletes as they prepare to compete in their respective sports. F
