Arthur Ashe, the legendary Afro-American Wimbledon player was dying of cancer. He received letters from his fans, worldwide, one of which read:
“Why did God select you for such a dreadful disease?”
Ashe replied,
“The world over, 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn the game, 5oo ooo turn professional, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5,000 reach Grand Slams, 50 reach
Wimbledon, 4 to the semifinals, 2 to the finals. When I won the Wimbledon crown, I never asked God, “Why me?” Today, in pain, I shouldn’t be asking God, ‘Why me?’”
Wimbledon crown, cancer cross.
That’s Christianity! That is why Jesus reminds his three apostles about his death and Resurrection immediately after his glorious transfiguration.
Fr. Joseph