Pope Congratulates Sinner

 

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Sinner man where you gonna run to?
Where you gonna run to?
All on that day...

 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

                                             Luke 18: 13-14 NRSVue 

I feel that media around the world missed an eye-catching, click-bait, headline last week. Tennis player, Jannik Sinner, became the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title in nearly 50 years. Of course, the Vatican enclave exists within Italy, so why wouldn't Pope Francis congratulate Sinner, whose name is pronounced something along the lines of Seen-air.

Francis made the acknowledgement during an audience with the Real Club de Barcelona. I'm not sure why the pontiff held an audience for a Spanish tennis club, but he seems open to meeting with all manner of saints and sinners. 

I'm fairly sure that his wonky knees weren't up to taking to the court even back in 2015 when he was presented with a racquet by the Italian Tennis Federation, but he looks pleased. In the past he's noted that training, motivation, and discipline of an athlete and that "sport is a metaphor for life."

As for Sinner, I imagine he ran all around the court...aren't you glad you read this blog? 

                                                           Jannik Sinner wins Australian Open