Examples (04/22/2024)

Yesterday at mass, I was blessed to be seated right next to a young family with two toddlers. I can’t explain it, but the experience of Sunday mass with young people and families in our midst always leads me to a feeling of fullness and well-being. Yesterday, the youngest of the two children was with her dad right next to me. She was so precious and so attentive. I caught her watching me several times. I would smile; she would return the blessing.

When it came time for the offertory hymn, I took my hymnal, opened it and began to sing. She watched me for a while, then she reached for a hymnal in the rack. Her father saw what she was doing and helped. He took out the book for her. She opened it and began to sing. She couldn’t read the words, she wasn’t even on the right page, she hasn’t even begun to fully speak, but she sang!

That image was with me all day long, that precious child singing with such joy. I realized she was imitating my example; she was trying to do what she’d seen me do. And the enormity of that responsibility toward others hit me. What example have I been giving day to day, moment to moment? Who has watched? Who has seen? How will in impact their journey through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ?

I thought of all those who have shown me through their example how to navigate the journey, what to bring along, what to set down so as to be open to the journey’s surprises, how to support others along the way. I’ve been blessed to have so very many companions along the way who not only kept me company but taught me how to make the journey well.

What about you? Who has accompanied you? Who has helped you to find the purpose in the journey? Who has taught you the way of the faith sojourner? Who has shown you what is worth carrying on and what needs to be set down?

We have a huge responsibility as we journey because we are not to make it alone, we are to bring others with us. It’s not just us; it was never just us. We are called to love well our LORD with all our being and one another as our loving savior loved us. Is there any greater proof of that love for our sisters and brothers than accompanying them on the journey home to eternal life in our LORD?

What kind of examples will we set? What will others witness us doing that will draw them to the journey themselves?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.