Sunday, February 16, 2025 – The Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
As we celebrate Black History Month during this month of February, for the most part, our attention may go to those African Americans who have gone before us but have left a profound imprint on our society and culture. That is not to say that we do not honor and admire individuals who are still present with us today.
After reading a CNN article, I would like to introduce you to an African American teenager who is a star and with his best years to come. Please meet Quincy Wilson. Quincy Wilson is a gold medalist in the track-and-field 4×400 meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics last summer, and at the age of 16, is the youngest male track champion in history. But that is only the beginning of it. Wilson, a Maryland high school junior, has been a straight “A” student his entire school life. With the fame of being an Olympic champion, Quincy is more concerned with his school/academic life than he is competing in track and field. He says, “I think I’m more focused in the classroom than I am on the track, and that tells you a lot.” He also says that “No gold medal, none of that is in mind… I’m worrying about my future goals, nothing in the past. I can’t go and change what I’ve done.”
If you think that this gold medalist life is glamorous, think again. Wilson hates mornings but his daily routine is waking up at 5:00AM getting on a bus for school at 6:15AM. After school he is on the track in training from 3:00-6:00PM followed by homework and studying into the evening. And he says that homework is of the utmost importance. This is not the usual schedule for one of the fastest 400-meter runners in the world.
His is an inspiring story and one that calls me to question, am I living out my days witnessing and displaying my God-given skills to the best of my ability? Quincy Wilson calls me to evaluate myself and reflect on what more I can do with what I have gifted with?
Be it our African American brothers and sisters, or anyone in society, do we notice and appreciate the talent, dedication, commitment, and faith of those in our midst? Are we impressed with them and wish to in some way embody what we see in them? Or do we take a passive approach and just say, “Good for them—that’s nice.” God has blessed us with witnesses in word and deed for us to follow and embrace their example(s). Even in our often-trying times, the messengers of light are ever present among us. So, be on the lookout this Black History Month and throughout the year for those individuals, of many races and cultures who by their example call us forth to a newness of life.
One last comment about Quincy Wilson, this 16-year-old is figuring out when to do homework and when to get his driver’s license. Right now, he is placing getting his driver’s license on hold. How often do you hear this from a 16-year-old?