The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs start today, and although I’m not a huge hockey fan, I’ll be cheering for the Habs.
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Like most filipinos, I was born into a Christian family. I was baptized as a baby, went to mass on sundays, went to a Catholic elementary school and served as an altar boy. Being Christian was a reality I accepted in my life, and I was happy to support the faith that I grew up with.
Being a Montréaler, people tend to assume that I’m into hockey, which if I’m being perfectly honest, is far from true. However, the Habs are my home-team, and much like an Ottawater cheering for the Sens, a Toronotian supporting the Leafs, or a Vancouverite rooting for the Canuks, I am a Montréaler who will sing “Olé Olé Olé” proudly if the occasion calls for it.
Away
One day I started to seriously question why I root for the Habs. Was it simply a way for my pride as a Montréaler to be manifested? Was it the power of group thinking or me seeking peer acceptance? The answer is that I don’t know! So I decided to find a concrete reason as to why I’m a fan of the Habs in order to validate my stance on their awesomeness. What I re-discovered is that the Habs have won about 25% of all Stanley Cup Playoffs, and even though their last win was in ’93, it still makes them one of the most successful professional sports teams not only in hockey, but in most traditional North American sports. That’s a team I can proudly stand behind.
What is it then that draws me to Christianity? Much like my love for the Habs, I didn’t want my love for Christ to be based solely on the fact that Christianity it’s my home-faith (made up term). So I decided to make a firm claim on why I love living out my faith as a Christian. After some reflection, the answer I settled on is quite simple, which I found in Matthew 22:39, “… you shall love your neighbor as yourself”. This is why I love being Christian and this is why I stand proudly behind our God.
– Jesse R.
P.S. So I guess I love all you Canuks fans even though you guys riot harder than we do, and I suppose I love all you Leafs fans even though the Leafs suck, and I guess I love all you Sens fans even though we’re gonna beat you this Thursday.
Kidding, I love you all sincerely.