Word and Example
1. There is great power in the spoken word. It can act like a ray of
light upon the mind of a man groping about in the darkness of error. It
can present a moving appeal to a sinner to return to God. It can comfort
the soul in affliction and in loneliness. Good example, however, is
even more powerful than speech. At times it can be irresistible. A man
can remain deaf to good advice, but it
is difficult for him to remain unaffected by the virtuous behaviour and
spirit of sacrifice of someone who is trying to lead him towards
goodness. The sermons of the Saints were effective not only because they
were inspired by love for God and for souls, but also because they were
reinforced by the holiness of the preachers. St. Augustine was
converted by the pleadings and prayers of St. Monica, but apart from the
grace of God it was the example of his mother's sanctity which made her
exhortations so convincing. It was as much by the example of his
untiring zeal as by the simplicity of his sermons that the Cure d'Ars
converted thousands upon thousands of people. St. Francis de Sales would
never have converted so many heretics if his apostolic personality had
not possessed such a quality of supernatural attractiveness. Let us do
as much good as we can by means of speech whenever the opportunity
arises, but above all let us make sure that our lives reflect faithfully
the principles which we proclaim. This is the only way in which we
shall be able to lead our fellow-men to God.
2. Good example is
the most effective sermon, and we are all obliged to preach in this
fashion. God entrusted the care of his neighbour to each one of us.
(Ecclus. 17:12) Each of us is responsible for the salvation of those who
have been entrusted to him in this way, especially for the salvation of
those who live near him and are influenced by his behaviour. Jesus'
exhortations in this regard have the force of a command. “Let your light
shine before men,” He says, “in order that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:16) St. Paul urges us
to “provide good things not only in the sight of God, but also in the
sight of all men.” (Cf. Rom. 12:17) This must not be interpreted as
meaning that we should be anxious for others to see our good deeds in
order that they may respect and praise us. It is our own undoing if our
good example is tainted with ostentation, for we should lose all merit
for it and should deserve to hear the words of the Eternal Judge: “You
have received your reward.” (Cf. Mt. 6:5) Our good example should be
inspired only by the love of God and of our neighbour but never by
self-love.
3. We should give good example everywhere and in
every way, at home and in the church, in the company of those who are
subordinate to us and of those who have authority over us, in speech and
in dress, by moderation in our eating habits and in the furnishings of
our house, by the pictures which we hang in our rooms and by the books
and magazines which we read. We should be particularly careful to keep
in safe custody those books and journals which are necessary to us for
purposes of study but could be an occasion of sin for others. Our whole
demeanour should radiate goodness. Let us remember the words of St.
James: “He who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided
way, will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”
(James 5:20) By saving the souls of others we save our own.
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