2nd week of Eastertide: Basketball

In a race runners run,

   to win the prize. (First Corinthians 9:24)

I won the Annual Leafblad NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Invitational Trophy. It came down to the finals; if Gonzaga wins, I lose; if Baylor wins, I win. I picked Baylor because our granddaughter Priscila will be attending Baylor this fall. Baylor won; so, I handed my trophy over to our matriculating granddaughter.

Priscilla choose Baylor (they are fortunate to get her), because it’s a Christian university with high academic standards and they play good ball—what a combination! One could say the same for Gonzaga. It too is a Christian university with high academics and play good ball—at least good basketball.

Gonzaga’s motto is “Ad majorem Dei gloriam.” Mottos, especially academic mottos, carry such weight that they need to be written in Latin, like "E Pluribus Unum."  Baylor’s motto is “Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana.” You can probably figure that one out: it has something to do with “Texas.” After the game, the Baylor coach, Scott Drew, after thanking all sorts of Baylor folks concluded by shouting out, “This win is for Waco, and for Texas.” He embodies the school motto which in English translates: “For Church, For Texas.” I’ve often wondered why the church does so well in Texas, now I know.

Gonzaga’s motto seems a bit weightier: “For the greater glory of God.” That’s hard to beat. Could it be that both teams, vying for basketball glory, brought about a “greater glory of God?” Or, am I being silly. Could it be that God has a way of getting himself glory even on a basketball court? I think so.