As we wrap up the Spiritual “month”, we thought it was time to have a little fun! Get to know Fr. Ben through a fun game of Catholic “this or that”. Learn a priest’s “preferences” but also His perspective! Thank you Fr. Ben for the fun and your Fatherhood!

What would your answers be to these questions?

Support the show

Father Ben Keller—a Dominican priest and former college baseball player— is back to explore the powerful intersection of sports and spirituality. He opens up about his grueling battle with an autoimmune disease that shattered his athletic identity, forcing him to let go of pride, embrace weakness, and truly surrender to God's grace. Fr. Ben and host Sam Kelley dive into how the discipline of training can beautifully translate into a deeper spiritual life, unpacking complex theological concepts like "non-competitive agency" and the way grace builds upon human nature. Ultimately, listeners are challenged to look past their performance and embrace the profound truth that God simply delights in them—leaving athletes with a tangible challenge to commit just 10 minutes a day to active participation in their faith.

Takeaway:

• Recognize and accept God's infinite delight: Understand that God's love and delight in you are infinite and extend to everything you do (ordered toward Him), rather than being tied only to a specific athletic gift or performance.
• Commit to active participation: Because athletes understand daily commitment, they should apply that same effort to the spiritual life, actively participating in a relationship with God rather than just expecting Him to fix things.
• Start with 10 minutes a day: Build a daily habit of prayer and connection by starting small, committing to just 10 minutes a day (which is less than 1% of the day) to avoid burning out.

Support the show

Dominican priest and former college baseball player, Fr. Ben Keller joins Sam on the FIERCE podcast to share his inspiring journey of growing up in Minnesota, navigating his faith on his own as a student-athlete at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and discovering his true vocation during an unforgettable, life-changing conference in Orlando. From running athlete Bible studies to navigating career-threatening injuries, his story beautifully illustrates what happens when sports psychology and faith collide. But the real challenge is just beginning; tune in to catch this week's cliffhanger as Fr. Ben prepares to confront the ultimate test—facing the reality that his identity was still deeply tied to being an athlete.

Takeaway:

Father Ben Keller emphasizes that if an athlete's core identity is not placed in Jesus, it will inevitably be tied to temporary or unhelpful things like popularity, setting them up for a crisis when their athletic career faces challenges or comes to an end. Analyze how your own identity is or isn’t rooted in Jesus.

Support the show