Why People Like Jeremy Lin

Everybody (well, the men) is talking about this NBA phenom from Harvard, Jeremy Lin.  This guy comes out of the bench of the New York Knicks and suddenly does wonders for the team. In one of his games, he scored 38 points against the Lakers bagging them the win. Not only that, he is excellent in giving assists, making his other team mates even better.  What I like about him is that he is a religious person. In one interview, He openly expressed his faith and said, "...this whole journey is a blessing from God."

Most people today will attribute their success solely on their hardwork, intelligence, and talent.  In this modern age, God is being put out of the picture.  In 2010, the Pope formed the Pontifical Council on New Evangelization because of the problem of secularization in the first world.  He mentions, "The process of secularization has produced a serious crisis of the sense of the Christian faith and role of the Church", and the new pontifical council would "promote a renewed evangelization" in countries where the Church has long existed "but which are living a progressive secularization of society and a sort of 'eclipse of the sense of God'."


It's good to know that famous people like Jeremy Lin, is bringing God back into the picture.  Truly, a new evangelization is needed.  Let us then take every opportunity to proclaim the greatness of the Lord (Luke 1:46) by being Christ's witnesses in this fast-paced and success-driven modern society.

Strength of the Word

"Evangelization is the carrying forth of the Good News to every sector of the human race so that by its strength it may enter into the hearts of men and renew the human race." (Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi)

The Word of God has its own strength.  This is the reason why despite cultural barriers or even with our inadequacies, the Word still penetrates into the heart of man.  What the Lord requires of us is to bearers of the Word both in speech and action.  The power of the Word is not dependent on how well we share it or how eloquent we are.  It lies on whether we share it at all. "As the Father sent me, so I send you (John 20:21)." When God' s Word is released, it is up to the Holy Spirit to touch and transform.  Let us remember that we are mere proclaimers but Jesus is the Savior.

When we encounter the Word in our time of prayer and Scripture, we put into our minds and hearts the power that is before us.  To take the Word for granted is like throwing away gold or refusing to grasp the hand of a person who will save us from drowning. God's Word is all powerful and strong for the Word is Christ Himself. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John1:14)." Let us then rely on the Word.  Let our day be anchored on it see how it's own strength changes our lives and the lives of other people.