New York Yankees: Listen up!

Practice like your position depends on it

Imagine someone proudly announcing they’ve been hired as a New York Yankee. That’s exciting and impressive! But what happens if they never show up to practice? What if they avoid batting drills, refuse to run sprints, or ignore pitching sessions? Their declaration may have been true, but without practice, their value to the team diminishes rapidly.

In the same way, faith is not just a one-time declaration but a lifelong commitment to growth. To truly belong to Christ, we must show up, spiritually speaking, and practice what we profess.

Faith in Action: Growing and Maturing in Christ

Faith is a gift, a grace freely given by God, and our response to that gift is to nurture it into a living, vibrant reality. It is one thing to proclaim faith in Jesus Christ; it is quite another to live it out daily. While announcing one’s faith is an important first step, it is not the end of the journey. Faith that is not exercised, practiced, and matured risks stagnation or, worse, decay.

The Importance of Practicing Faith

St. James famously challenges believers:

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14).

Faith, according to Scripture, is meant to be alive and active. A declaration of belief without action is like a seed that is never planted—it cannot grow, bear fruit, or fulfill its purpose. Faith requires the soil of practice, the water of grace, and the light of God’s Word to flourish.

Faith Is Meant to Grow

Faith begins as a seed, but it is not meant to remain static. Jesus likened faith to a mustard seed, small at first but capable of growing into something mighty (cf. Matthew 13:31-32). This growth happens through prayer, receiving the sacraments, studying Scripture, and engaging in acts of love and service.

St. Paul exhorts us to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). This doesn’t mean earning salvation—salvation is a gift—but cooperating with God’s grace to deepen and mature our faith. As athletes train their bodies, so too must we train our spiritual lives.

The Pursuit of Maturity

Faith that is not pursued risks becoming shallow and brittle. In his letter to the Hebrews, the author warns against spiritual stagnation:

"Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12).

Just as we expect children to grow and mature, so too must our faith move from the basics to a deeper understanding of God’s will and our mission in the world.

This maturity involves embracing challenges, persevering in trials, and continuously seeking to align our will with God’s. It means not being satisfied with a surface-level relationship with Christ but striving for intimacy with Him through regular prayer, participation in the sacraments, and acts of charity.

Living Faith in Action

Practicing faith is not only for our benefit but also for the good of others. Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). This means that our faith must be visible in our actions, inspiring others and drawing them closer to God.

St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” While words are important, the testimony of a life lived in faith often speaks louder than any declaration.

Conclusion: Show Up for Your Faith

A declaration of faith is a good and noble beginning, but it is only the first step. Faith must be nurtured, practiced, and lived out. We cannot call ourselves Christians if we fail to follow Christ’s example in our daily lives.

Just as a New York Yankee must practice and play to fulfill his role on the team, so too must we show up for our faith, ready to grow and mature into the disciples Christ calls us to be. Faith, when practiced, becomes a powerful force—transforming our lives and the world around us.

Let us not rest in mere words but strive to make our faith a living reality, glorifying God through every thought, word, and deed. As St. Paul reminds us:

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Faith is not static. It is a journey—a dynamic relationship with the living God. Let us show up to practice and allow Him to mold us into His image, for His glory and the salvation of the world.

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