Editor’s note: This two-part series will explore Christian themes seen through Fantasy Football.

The fantasy football draft is quite the experience. I have seen fantasy football owners with NFL magazines that are highlighted with notes next to their laptops that probably have a few internet pages open of statistical information. I once had a friend at the draft call another person for their opinion on what player he ought to select. One of my favorite parts of the draft is when a fantasy owner makes a selection and everyone else says, “good pick, that’s a real good pick!”

Every year I am astounded by the study fantasy football owners put into knowing players, statistics, and projections. Often fantasy football owners will begin studying weeks and days before the fantasy football draft begins. I remember being in college and thinking to myself, “If that person studied their coursework the way they study fantasy football they would probably be a 4.0 student.”

There is something Christians can learn from fantasy football owners. In a similar way as fantasy football owners know nearly everything about NFL players, Christians ought to know the pivotal players who spread the good news about Jesus Christ. These pivotal players are the Apostles, saints and martyrs.

One of the most powerful stories in scripture is told at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. The eleven disciples, following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, meet Jesus on a mountain at Galilee. Jesus commands the disciples to go teach and baptize all nations. However, just before Jesus gives this commission, the disciples both worshiped and doubted when they saw Jesus. This is a key detail that must be looked at further.

The experience of the disciples is the experience of many of us today. The dynamic of both worshiping and finding ourselves doubting due to fears, struggles, anxieties, and challenges is very real. The first disciples doubted: that is what Matthew tells us in the Gospel. However, as the Apostle John wrote, “perfect love casts out fear” and “we love because He first loved us.” The early disciples trusted in Jesus amidst the many challenges which ultimately gave them courage.

Similar to fantasy football owners who know nearly everything about the NFL players, so too should the Christian strive to know the pivotal players of the faith. For these pivotal players initially doubted, just like many of us; however, by the grace of God, they were filled with courage to go teach all nations.

Luke Daghir is a seminarian for the Diocese of Erie. He is with St. Joseph Parish for his parish mission. He has enjoyed Fantasy Football for a number of seasons. His favorite football player to watch is Tom Brady and his favorite saint is Andrew the Apostle. His column appears every other week.