Thought of the Day Aug 5, 2019 Teach by example

By 9:42 AM


To teach by word is not as effective as to teach by action. Jesus taught the necessity of meekness in the life of the Master and in the life of the disciple. There are many ways Jesus did this. For me, when he washed the feet of the apostles, I am always disarmed and moved to wonderment. Each Holy Thursday I look forward to the mandatum to enter into that experience of Jesus’ meekness and humility as I wash the feet of others, dry them with tenderness and gently kiss them. There is something spiritually profound about that act of service in imitation of Jesus and in obedient response to his command.

“Therefore, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. For I have given you an example, so that just as I have done for you, so also should you do.” (John 13:14-15)

As profound as that gesture was, the maximum proof of Christ's meekness is seen in his passion. There is no wrath, there are no threats: "When he was reviled he did not revile in return, when he suffered, he did not threaten" (1 Peter 2:23). This trait of the person of Christ was so stamped in the memory of his disciples that Paul writes: "I entreat you by the meekness ("prautes") and the gentleness ("epiekeia") of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1).

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