Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
In this era of political correctness – which usually means silencing people of faith to avoid “forcing their beliefs on others” – Polish ski jumper Kamil Stoch is unabashedly Catholic and not afraid to make it known on the slopes of Sochi.
In a terrific blog by Father Francis J. Hoffman, Executive Director of Relevant Radio and popularly known as “Fr. Rocky”, we learn that Stoch is completely open about his faith.
“I always make a Sign of the Cross before my jumps. Since I was little. It is not because I am afraid, but it is a symbol of faith. Every jump I dedicate to the Lord God. I am not ashamed of that,” Stoch said.
The Lord was certainly pleased with the jump that won Stoch a gold medal in the normal hill jump at the Olympics on Sunday, but was even more happy with how the 26 year-old Olympian handled the press that day. Knowing he is very Catholic, a snarky reporter asked whether he missed Mass that day because the event was held on a Sunday. Stoch calmly replied: “I went to Mass on Saturday evening.”
In another interview quoted by Fr. Rocky, Stoch said: “I would like to thank the Lord God for everything that has occurred and everything that will occur in the future.”
This would explain why he calmly accepted the injury he sustained a few days after winning his gold medal, an elbow injury that is not expected to impact his performance at the games.
Fr. Rocky’s blog contained an excerpt from another newspaper article in which Stoch is described as having received his faith from his parents and grandparents. He was asked if there was any special time that he prayed to God.
“When something does not go right, I put myself under the protective wings of the Lord God,” Stoch answered. “Then I know He is next to me, I feel it. I pray that none of the athletes be harmed in our competitions. That I will know how to be joyful in victory and with dignity accept defeat. I thank the Lord God for everything, because I owe everything to Him.”
In another article, he stated: “I believe in the following rule ‘If God is in first place, then everything is in its right place.’ Everyday I feel the presence and help of God. That I wake up in the morning and have strength and health to do what I do, as well as joy and satisfaction that it brings me, must come from the Lord. God always helps me, he puts on my road people of kindness. I thank the Lord God for all the difficult moments, because after them I become stronger. I believe, that if a person works hard, believes in what he is doing, has a positive outlook on the world and trusts in God, then there are no impossible things! As long as you are fighting, you are victorious.”
Amen, brother!
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