A season of rebirth

I received an email today from Xavier University with a video message from the President (Fr. Graham, SJ) regarding last week's incident after the Crosstown Shootout. Our large victory over UC lead to an embarrassing brawl between the players and a long, arduous week for everyone in the Xavier community. I found myself almost ashamed at times of this institution that has in so many ways shaped me into the person I am, for the better. My association with Xavier is athletic, academic, social justice and faith-focused and I like to think that I continue to try to represent the ideals of the school as I continue down my life path. Unfortunately, because of today's media and somewhat unforgiving society, where we are quite slow to give people a second chance and look for the good in people and what can be learned from bad situations....I was met with nothing but negative reactions from people after last Saturday. All basketball bias aside, it's a frustrating feeling to try to defend someone, something, or some ideal when you know there are flaws that can't be denied. Yet, when you really believe in the good in it you want desperately for others to understand.
   After watching this video of Fr. Graham speaking, along with a 37 minute presser from Chris Mack (XU head coach), Mike Bobinski (XU AD) and Tu Holloway (our star player) I came to be reminded of some very important truths. Among these truths: the willingness to learn from mistakes, the diligence to seek goodness, the ability to humble oneself in adversity....but most importantly I recognized forgiveness and rebirth. It is only in difficult times, it is only through imperfections that we have such grand opportunities to learn the beauty of these two things. I think it's quite appropriate to have these things come into focus during Advent as well. Christ's birth was perfect....we are not. But his grace allows us to love others so much that we can be understanding of their imperfections and encourage them to continually allow their hearts to be reborn towards goodness...day in and day out....and allow them to do the same for us.
    This is love. This is Christmas.