In their most recent blogs, Courtney and Anthony wrote about the legacy of Joe Pa and how it extends beyond the football field. Their comments and discussions with some friends led me to relate the story of Joe Paterno to the biblical figure Moses. Just like Moses was summoned before G-d to lead the Jewish people, Joe was to be part of something bigger than himself: redefining Penn State University. Moses had to teach the Jewish people how to be free--they wandered in the desert for forty years before they learned. JoePa taught us how to have success with honor. Moses destroyed the tablets given by G-d when he saw the his people worshiping a golden calf. JoePa built us a library and gave us the tools to make our education a priority. He partnered with the College of the Liberal Arts to encourage students to strive for the best and he and his family always put others before themselves as seen in their work with THON and Special Olympics.
Here's where the comparison becomes clear: neither was able to have the story-book ending I think they deserved. Moses had led the Jewish people to the Promised Land, but because he made one mistake, not following G-d's instruction to speak to the rock at the end of Deuteronomy, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. JoePa made one mistake, he wished he could have done more in regards to this scandal, and because of this every news report covering his death ended up focusing on the last two months of his life rather than the last sixty years of his life.
We all make mistakes. We're all human. But that one mistake can completely change the way our story goes. What if Moses listened to G-d? What if JoePa had done more? What if?
Here's where the comparison becomes clear: neither was able to have the story-book ending I think they deserved. Moses had led the Jewish people to the Promised Land, but because he made one mistake, not following G-d's instruction to speak to the rock at the end of Deuteronomy, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. JoePa made one mistake, he wished he could have done more in regards to this scandal, and because of this every news report covering his death ended up focusing on the last two months of his life rather than the last sixty years of his life.
We all make mistakes. We're all human. But that one mistake can completely change the way our story goes. What if Moses listened to G-d? What if JoePa had done more? What if?
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