Thought of the Day Aug 5, 2019 Teach by example
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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