Coming to the end of the Month of July this week, I like to revisit two major events that have taken place in the USA this month. The events are the 250th anniversary of the US as an independent naon and the Federation International of Football Association (FIFA) World Cup that concluded on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
The 250th anniversary was unique in the sense that no living American witnessed any of the last anniversaries such as 50th, 100th, and 150th. Americans who celebrated them have all passed away and gone back to God. Thanks be to God that many Americans who witnessed the 200th anniversary are still alive.
In July, many of the Sunday Gospel readings were the parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God such as the Sower (Mahew 13: 1-23) on the 15th Sunday, Wheat and Weeds, Mustard Seeds and Yeast (Mahew 13: 24 – 43) on the 16th Sunday, and Treasure buried in the field (Mathew 13: 44 – 52) on this last weekend (17th Sun- day). The parables on the 15th and 16th Sundays spoke to American story. America could be likened to the seeds that fell on the 4th soil yielding abundant fruits. America could also be likened to the 4th soil where seeds sown germinated, grew, and bore fruits for the common good. America has also been a Mustard seed that is the smallest of all but has grown big and born fruits that have benefited all living creatures. I would argue that it was not a coincidence but providential that those parables were read in July, the anniversary month of America’ s independence.
FIFA concluded the 2026 World Cup last Sunday, July 19, 2026. Among the 48 national teams, Spain was the win- ner and went home with the golden trophy. Argentina was in the second position as the runner-up with silver trophy. England and France were in the third and fourth positions respectively. France went home with the bronze trophy. The tournament which was tri-hosted by North American countries (Canada, Mexico, and the United States) began on June 28, 2026. The opening and final matches were played in Mexico and New Jersey respectively.
What was amazing throughout the tournament was the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by all involved including the players, officials and fans despite few controlled and negligible moments.
I hope we all can learn from those sporting values such as unity in diversity that characterized the tournament. Many who were directly or indirectly involved spoke different languages inside and outside the arenas used for the tournament. But when it came to the action on the fields, the language of football that has no leaders, alpha- bets, and words prevailed. The language was spoken with officials’ whistles and
signs such as the yellow and red cards, flags, the TV recorder, goal post/nets, lines on the field, the soccer ball.
I also notice with admiration mutual respect and obedience by all involved. The players obeyed the decisions of the officials and all reciprocated respect for one another on the field. More importantly, all including the officials and players would greet one another shaking hands or hugging aer the final whistle. I presume, those who lost congratulated those who won, and those who won condoled those who lost. In fact, these were signs that de- spite the fierce competition, they were friendly.
The World Cup was also tourism for some people who traveled from far and near and across the three countries that tri-hosted the tournament. It boosted local economy since much was spent on hospitality, transportation, shopping and entertainment. The tournament gave opportunity for education in soccer, global exposure and cultural exchanges and possibility for new friendship among others.
Let us learn from the World Cup! Let us bring those values into our homes and communities!
We pray that the spirit of love, unity, obedience, respect, and fair play in the World Cup be imbibed by all of us,
amen.
https://corpuschristicatholicchurch.org. Rev. Fr. Mathew Ibok 🙏 Fr.M.Ibok@ccstaug.com.