Sunday, October 13, 2024 – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Recently I heard a speaker who posed this challenging question: “Can you live your life in a manner that you would want to record it in your [accurate and truthful] memoir? Wow! What a means to check one’s day-to-day behavior. This question reminds me of the popular question of “What would Jesus do?” Not to dismiss Jesus, but I have at times have raised this question for a given situation: “What would [Marianist Founder] Father Chaminade do?”
In our ongoing struggles to be faithful Christians, we lean on God to give us the grace(s) how to react in the Gospel spirit to life events. At the same time, I believe that God has put in place various human examples for us as we attempt to carve the right path forward. I know for me, my mother, father, a host of Marianist brothers and others in my life are important guides of reference and witness as I attempt to live a faithful life. Please reflect on your own earthly models you can lean on—models God has placed in your life.
If we were writing this honest memoir about ourselves, it would be blemished to various degrees. We are human beings who have all sinned and not always made the best choices. It is human nature and cannot be avoided. But in embracing this question, would it make a difference in how you go about your day-to-day activities and relationships? Would writing your memoir call you to live in a positive direction? What does God want you write about yourself as your recall your life story?
So, who are your heroes of grace and Christian witness? They can be the saints the Church recognizes during the liturgical year or your neighbor on the other side of your fence. They can be young or old. Allow them to be your models as you become the scribe of your life story—written or not, let it speak volumes of your collaboration with the action of God.