To walk as one

The proverb says that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Most of the time that probably holds true, until a pre-schooler does a less than complimentary impersonation of you in front of a roomful of company or announces to the pastor your favorite word, which happens to be a bit colorful—and we are not talking Crayola!

But they can also surprise you. During a parish presentation of the Passion Play, one youngster called out, “There’s Jesus!” And at a popular pizzeria, a three-year old was trying to bless himself before he ate his veggie slice!

So what’s the best way you imitate Jesus? If we are His followers and we strive to be like Him, there must be something we do well. Since the family is the place where we learn about God and how we practice our faith, we have good reasons to give the best example possible and to demonstrate clearly how we practice faith.

The toddler will recognize Jesus or bless himself or pray before bedtime or know her church if we show and tell. Sometimes it is those moments of good example that help someone make a better choice, or reconsider a bad decision, or be more attentive to faith. Imitation can be more than just flattery. It can be the way we teach and strengthen faith.

That is the best way to follow the Lord.

James Gaffney,
Karides Lic. to Saint George Publishing
jim@pilotbulletinbuilder.net