Jeremy Lin’s Christian faith allows him to forgive

 

NBA.com

Many media members covering New York Knicks star Jeremy Lin were falling all over themselves to come up with puns related to his name in February. Lin, who is of Taiwanese heritage, became a major NBA story when he came off the bench and began leading the Knicks to comeback victories.

Not many people stopped to think that “Linsane” or “Linsanity” could lead to insentive takes on his Asian heritage. But, when former ESPN.com editor Anthony Federico wrote a headline saying “Chink in the armor” following a loss, people stopped laughing quickly. Federico was fired by ESPN.

That could have been the end of the story for Federico, who would forever be known as an insensitive media member fired for his actions and that was that.

But, Lin met Federico for lunch March 26, talking about their Christian faiths among other things, according to Newsday.

“It went incredible,” Federico told Newsday. “I’m just so excited we had the chance to meet. We talked for an hour. I’m just so thankful.”

Lin wouldn’t talk about the lunch to Newsday, but has said repeatedly, “You have to learn to forgive,” since the ESPN.com incident.

Lin is an example of living out Christian faith. Forgiveness, whether you’re a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran or Methodist, is at the core of our faith. When Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive the man who sins against him, Jesus says “Seventy times seven,” ultimately. While the number is 490 in real terms, Jesus meant we should always forgive.

Lin is showing that he’s a man who accepts Jesus’ challenge and lives it in reality.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.