As a member of the Fenway faithful, it is disheartening to say the least to hear of news of Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the sign scandal. In the midst of this sadness and extreme disappointment, there is a greater light on which to focus with eyes of faith -- a teachable moment -- about Truth and real leadership, which comes from making the hard choices in life if we want to be truthful to our human dignity. As children of God, sons and daughters and disciples, we have been created to seek the excellence in - and - through our lives. Cheating is not the excellence nor does it ever lead to victory.

So even when it is “your team,” wrong is never right. As people of faith we are called to recognize that there are in fact absolute truths in this life. In sports, in school, in marriage, in faith, in business, in life — cheating never a good we should seek. The other day I had a meeting with a very wise woman who educated me to the West Point Cadet’s Prayer and she highlighted a particularly poignant phrase in the prayer that should be the last word on this — and all challenging — situations in life, even as we are trying to “get ahead”. Within the West Point Cadet Prayer the line states” “... Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life . Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with half - truth when the whole can be won ... ”

Choosing the “harder right” over the “easier wrong” requires courage and character. When we cheat, when we choose to live under the common level of life, we surrender ourselves to the least common denominator and fail “to be who God created us to be,” as St. Catherine of Siena would say. In choosing to “live above the common level of life” and seek the “harder right” we present ourselves as an example for others to follow, we offer a hope for courage and we lead others to also seek the excellence. What a wonderful teaching moment for us to be involved. As a culture we must commit to no longer seek the least common denominator in sports or other aspects of life, but rather seek the excellence; and let the games be played more for entertainment and sportsman- ship rather than for financial gain above all. Whether we are sportspersons or business leaders making million - dollar deals, lawmakers making life - and - death decisions, teachers leading young minds to excellence or to political correctness, religious leaders preaching the Truth or opinion, parents choosing friendship over leadership, or a young person choosing the harder right versus the easier or convenient or popular wrong — the world’s options must call us to Truth and not falsity, for the latter never leads to victory, for even if one “wins” based on dishonesty there will always be an asterisk added — an eternal reminder that what was “won” isn't real.