The 2026 Milan Cortino Winter Olympics are underway, and I'm excited! I've been a fan of the Olympic Games for as long as I can remember. I love both the winter games and the summer games, and I try to watch as many of the events on TV as I can. Besides the competitions, I enjoy watching the other parts of the Olympic broadcasts as well: the opening and closing ceremonies, the athletes' stories, and even the commentary from the network announcers. Perhaps the fact that the Olympics only happen once every 4 years makes them extra special.
One of the reasons why I like the Olympics is how they bring together such a wide variety of people that might not otherwise come together. Athletes from many countries, even those countries that aren't necessarily on the best of speaking terms, are willing to compete side-by-side. For the opening ceremony this year, the theme was "Armonia"—Italian for harmony. What a fitting theme for an event that seeks to unite countries, people, and values with a shared vision.
To me, this gathering together of people from all over the world reminds me of the Body of Christ. We may be of different races and speak different languages in vastly different places around the globe. We may have different ideas and different ways of doing things. Yet we are all united into one family by the blood of Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans: "Live in harmony with one another…If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:16a, 18 NRSV). What good advice for us in the church, in our communities, in our state, in our country, and in our world.
The 2026 Winter Games last until Sunday, February 22. On that evening, we can watch the closing ceremony, which is always a big celebration. I enjoy watching the ceremony, yet I end up feeling a bit sad. The games which have been a part of my life for a little more than two weeks have ended. How different from the Kingdom of God which never ends. There is no need for a closing ceremony because the Kingdom is forever. We don't need to be sad as long as we are citizens of the Kingdom.
So whether or not you are into the Olympics, or any other sport for that matter, let us do our best as we work in harmony side by side with our neighbors around the world, knowing that the Kingdom of God has no closing ceremonies. And that, my friends, is good news! See you in church.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Clayton