What Soccer Taught One Catholic About Holiness (The Tim Glemkowski Show)

Elite athletics demand discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. As former soccer player Steven Duran explained on The Tim Glemkowski Show, those same qualities became the foundation of a life of faith. As a young soccer player competing at the highest levels in the United States, Duran was often one of the few practicing Catholics on his team. Going to Sunday Mass sometimes meant arriving late to training, and his faith naturally sparked questions from teammates. While those conversations could be challenging, they also became opportunities to witness to Christ through the way he lived. Looking back, Duran says that playing sports at an elite level taught him both about how to compete and, more importantly, how to be consistent. "You have to show up every day," he explained. "Don't let your highs be too high and your lows be too low. Focus on consistency and bring your best every single day." He sees the same principle in the spiritual life. Jesus calls His disciples to "pray unceasingly," but that lifelong habit begins by faithfully showing up in prayer each day. Just as an athlete trains consistently before game day, Christians grow in holiness through daily fidelity to God. Whether on the soccer field or in the quiet of prayer, excellence isn't built in dramatic moments but through steady perseverance. By consistently bringing our whole selves to the Lord, we create space for Him to transform us and strengthen us for whatever lies ahead. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.