My family and I welcomed a new member this week, our sixth child and fourth son: Maximilian Xavier Judd.
Baby Max and Mom are doing very well and we thank everyone for their prayers. We experienced a bit of a miracle during this pregnancy so we think God must have big things in store for this little guy.
My wife and I went were out at a restaurant the night before the delivery and it was a very unique and moving experience. It seemed like almost every elderly couple in the restaurant was coming up to my lovely wife to comment on her pregnancy and such. For many it was as if they had never seen a pregnant woman before … the amazement, the respect, the awe if you will.
It reminded me of something Pope John Paul II spoke of quite often: that the meaning of the human person is to be a gift.
"Man finds himself only by making himself a sincere gift to others" (Gaudium et Spes, no. 24).
Yes, my wife and child in womb were a tremendous gift to others that evening, filling some people with joy and hope and I was honored to witness it.
Today the Catholic Church celebrates All Saints Day … a day to celebrate people throughout history who went about doing good basically 24/7. They are clear examples of people giving themselves as gifts.
That is why we named him Maximilian Xavier … after two men who spent their lives doing good for others: Maximilian Kolbe and Francis Xavier.
If you are not familiar with them I encourage you to look them up.
…
In the sports world there was another recent event where some young middle school football players did something amazing … being a gift to a member of their team.
Please watch this 3 minute video … especially the last minute. It is very inspirational and share it with your players and families.
Every coach can learn a lesson from this middle school team
A middle school team from Olivet, Michigan got together to create a special play, for an even more special player, behind the back of the entire coaching staff earlier this month.
Now normally, a player calling his own play on the field wouldn't fly with 99% of coaches, but even the most intense and hard headed coaches would get goose bumps if this ever happened on their watch.
You see, the team banded together in order to get as close to the goal line as possible without scoring in order to get their special needs teammate Keith Moore his first ever touchdown. The coaches had no idea, and even Keith's parents almost missed out on the moment.
CBS has a really good look at the story, and it serves as an excellent reminder of the power that football (sports) has in the lives of young, impressionable people (and their families), and the life lessons that it can teach at every age.
