St. James parishioner shares love of reading with others

Photo courtesy of Mathew Hall

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Mathew Hall, a Saint James parishioner, shares his love of reading with children twice a month at the library.

OGDEN - When Christ left this world He left a final message, "Love each other as I have loved you." Today there seems little evidence of the human race adhering to Christ's command. Every Sunday billions of people worship God around the world, but how many see the world with His eyes? How many actually love our fellow man as much as Jesus loved us, how many of us even truly care about our fellow man? Every Sunday the Church prays that people across the world will turn toward their neighbor not in anger, but in love. Christ left the world two thousand years ago. He left us the Church as an example for how to live but He also left us special people who act as living examples of His passion for all humanity.

Mathew Hall, a parishioner of St. James the Just, is one of those people. Mathew reads children's books at St. James' pre-school twice a month. He began reading to the children in October 2009, and he plans to continue on for as long as he possibly can. Reading to the children is an immense accomplishment for Mathew, who struggles with Smith McGinnis Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. One challenge that Mathew has successfully overcome is learning to read. Smith McGinnis Syndrome may affect learning abilities, but through hundreds of hours of practice, memorization, and a lot of help, love, and support from family and teachers, Mathew learned to read.

Mathew's accomplishment demonstrates his character and determination, but perhaps the most astonishing thing about Mathew is his attitude toward life.

"I like reading to the kids. I love to see the expressions on their faces!" Mathew said. "Their expressions crack me up!" He constantly complimented his parents and the pre-school teacher. It was almost impossible to get him to acknowledge his achievement; he preferred to focus on every other person in the room and the world.

Mathew Hall is one of those special people God put on this earth to be a living reminder of His love for us. Mathew is everything that the Church teaches as far how we should strive to act. The saying, "What would Jesus do?" is answered perfectly in Mathew's "can-do" and loving attitude. Mathew's genuine concern for everybody and his genuine love and kindness that is exhibited every day is what Jesus calls us to do. Love and acceptance of everyone, no matter their faults, is what Jesus asks of us.