May 13, 2001

An example is an extremely effective motivator and a tremendously powerful incentive. It can serve as a sedative for fear and an antidote to despair. It can make possible the impossible and it can make probable the improbable. If you are looking for the single best way to further a cause or advance a dream or promote an idea or generate enthusiasm, provide an example and you will be amazed at its effectiveness.

Jesus knew very well the power of an example. The washing of the feet that we commemorate every Holy Thursday was a way of his exercising that power. It was thanks to that example that the disciples never got caught up in the trappings of their leadership positions and persisted in their service to others.

In today's Gospel, we find Jesus promoting the use of example. He tells his disciples to "love one another" because he knew that, if they did so, they would be exercising the single most effective means of winning others to the faith. They would be providing good example.

Today is MOTHER'S DAY...people of example...our MOMS! A mother rockers her son nightly as she sings "I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER." She continues through the years - through the messy toddler years, through the noisy rebellious adolescent years, and well into his adulthood.

But one day, the mother, now in her declining years, calls her son and says, "YOU BETTER COME SOON, I'M VERY SICK." Soon after, the son steals into her bedroom, picks her up, rocks her, and sings "I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER." Afterward, the son returns home and picks up his daughter, rocks her and sings, "I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER."

We are people of example. Thanks for the examples of life, MOM, and because of them and you, "I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER."

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLES ARE WE TO EACH OTHER?

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