Ordinary time week 13, Gn 21, 5,8-20; Mt 8, 28-34
The Old Testament always give the impression that God is God of the underdog. Often choosing the least likely person to do his will. At first sight, it may seem that Ishmael, the son of Hagar, is not one of the underdogs except that his life is saved. However, it was some of his descendants who rescued Joseph from the well where his brothers had thrown him. Playing a key role in the history of the chosen people.
An underdog story:
Jason McElwain, a teenage boy with autism, had always loved basketball. At his Rochester high school, he was responsible for helping out the varsity players as team manager: taking care of their equipment, getting fresh towels, and taking on other odd jobs to ensure that the team had everything they needed at their practices and games. During his senior year in 2006, McElwain’s coach decided to add him to the team roster for the last game of the season, and give him an opportunity to play on the court for the first time ever. No one expected much from him, but McElwain proved that he knew his stuff: During three minutes on court, the game’s surprise hero sank six three-pointers and an additional shot, scoring 20 points for his team.
Although McElwain’s amazing play wasn’t enough to win the game, that didn’t matter. The crowd went wild for the game’s unlikely star, and McElwain’s teammates carried him off the court in celebration of his amazing victory.
For McElwain, the basketball game was about more than sports—it helped him prove what he was capable of to the world. “This is the first moment Jason has ever succeeded (and could be) proud of himself,” his mother, Debbie McElwain, said. “I look at autism as the Berlin Wall, and he cracked it.”
What secret talents are you hiding??
by Fr Thomas O'BRIEN a.a