Scottish Catholic Observer

By FR RAPHAEL IGBAOYINBO

ATHLETES at the Rio Olympic Games have been rejoicing in the opportunity to display their talents after many months of self-sacrifice and preparation. Spectators have been entertained by competitors from all over the world, who have been giving their all without consideration of race, colour, nation, religion or gender. The games underline the truth that the world is a global village.

Villages in different parts of the world are characterised by their inhabitants’ closeness to one another, and their concern for the wellbeing and progress of their fellows. This fraternity encourages each person to bring out his or her best for the good of all. The Olympic Games make this ‘village camaraderie’ visible by providing a platform for every athlete to display their prowess.

This wholesome attitude was marked at the Games’ opening ceremony by the presentation of the very first Olympic Laurel Award to Kenya’s legendary middle-distance runner, Kip Keino, now chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, for his outstanding contribution to the Olympic movement and his work in educating orphaned children in his country.

It was further buttressed by the presence, for the first time, of an Olympics Refugee Team, representing and giving hope of a better tomorrow to the more than 60 million refugees in the world. The ten athletes in the team, from four countries, were united by the strength of their will to overcome barriers in their quest to make their dreams come true, by taking part alongside the best from all around the world.

In this way, the Rio Olympics declares to the world that all are invited to join hands and to realise ‘What A Wonderful World’ we could all have, in the words of the Louis Armstrong song. The Olympics are a sign of hope for a more beautiful, peaceful, loving, caring, and wonderful world, which is the yearning of every person, with refugees hoping for it especially keenly. Refugees have been forced to leave their homelands because conditions have made full, realistic, reasonable, wholesome, dignified, meaningful, humane and fulfilling living unattainable there. They seek refuge in places they think can help them realise their human dignity.

The loud message the Rio Olympic Games sends to all corners of the earth is that the terrible conditions that make some of our dearly beloved brothers and sisters become refugees, will, just as the best committed athletes triumph in their sports, be removed and overcome.

As the world recommits itself to fighting oppressive and dehumanising conditions, energised by the spirit of sportsmanship revealed in Rio, every person, no matter their parlous situation, should always aspire to achieve their dreams and work relentlessly in a committed, orderly, and realistic manner towards making them come true. The call to action is: never give up on your dreams, no matter what.

The refugee athletes have made this call more concrete by their participation at these games.

Waving the newly adopted refugee flag, in the colour of lifejackets, they give hope to all refugees in the world. Their position had deteriorated to the point where their precious lives were faced with a real and imminent threat of extermination, in the absence of any protection from their father/motherland.

In their presence in Rio, all persons can see new hope, new possibilities, great encouragement to hard work, a renewal in the spirit of persevering in attaining positive and good goals, and an inspiration to adopt an optimistic attitude to life.

What is your dream? Will it help you contribute to the beauty of the world? Will it bring comfort and happiness to those around you? Is it in line with the good heart of the Almighty Creator, who wishes the very best for humanity? It should be a guiding belief for us all that only dreams that positively impact on society, village, country, nation, people, land, and the general well being of each and every person in the world, should be pursued. Any selfish dream diminishes the dignity of others. Misguided and inappropriate dreams, which damage and disrespect the path our Creator intends for our world, should be rejected, abandoned and expunged from our minds. They always reveal themselves as not worth pursuing.

However, if your dream is to be the best you can be by harnessing the God-given blessings you have for the good of all, go ahead. If it is to attain the highest height of your occupation by working hard in a caring and positive way, so as to make a sound contribution to the lives of all, pursue it with all your heart. If it is to live and work in peace and harmony with others, hold to your path and keep your head up high. And if you dream of contributing in every way to the security of life of every person in the community, so as to make available to all the essential qualities of a good life, thereby minimising the threats and dangers surrounding us, cling steadfastly to your moral compass.

The greatest dream is that of St Ignatius of Loyola, to do everything in life with the intention that the greater glory goes to God. It means doing all things for the greater glory of the Almighty Creator, whose Son, Jesus Christ, taught humanity what it means to dream a good dream and bring it to fulfilment when He embraced His destiny, took up the Cross, died and was buried, and three days later rose up from the dead, all in order to save the whole world. He made it clear that ‘He gave Himself as a ransom for many’ (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).

‘Never give up on your dreams’ is the clarion call which should resonate in our minds and hearts from the Rio Olympics. Within that call to positive action lies the assurance that when all good dreams are brought to reality there will be no more need for refugees, as all will have returned to their fatherland or been able to settle in their new homeland. In this light, let us pray: “May our good dreams come true. Amen.”

Fr Raphael Igbaoyinbo is a priest of the Missionary Society of St Paul, Abuja, Nigeria, and a lecturer at the National Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja. He is spending the summer in Glasgow.