Ever since man and woman committed the first sin of pride, our souls have been tainted. Baptism wipes our soul clean from all sin and opens us up to receive the sacraments. Jesus once again shows us the way to navigate this life through His baptism. He didn’t need the sacrament, but by receiving it, He shows us the way to eternal life. Jesus lives his whole life as a leader and role model, always pointing us in the right direction.
We are all called to be leaders and point the way to Jesus. You don’t have to go door to door to show people the way. Jesus said, “Follow Me” to the disciples. He is not only saying follow Him physically, but also to do what He does. The decisions that we make and actions that we take have an impact on others. We need to be aware of this and always try to be good role models for those around us.
In order to point the way to God and be a leader, we need to make sure our spiritual batteries are charged. During these wild and crazy times, we need as much grace as we can get if we want to be strong in the face of the evil and temptation that surrounds us. We should try to pray everyday, even if only for a few minutes. We also should go to Mass at least once a week. Yes we are in a pandemic, but we desperately need that grace in our lives. If you can’t find a church where you feel comfortable, stop by during the day when a Mass isn’t being said and just be alone with God inside the church or maybe in a beautiful area outside the church. Finally, try to make it to a reconciliation service or schedule an appointment with a priest. Just as our houses need a little periodic deep cleaning, our souls need a deep cleaning every now and then.
This week, with the violence at the Capitol, we have seen an example of how not to be a good leader and role model. A good leader not only knows how to win, but how to lose. I’ve played lots of great games with my kids that turn bad at the end when one of them loses and has a tantrum. No one likes to lose, but a lot of respect is gained for the graceful loser. The graceful loser passes the good behavior on to others and becomes a role model and leader.
Jesus came into the world to point us to heaven. We need to carry on His work in the world and point others to heaven as well. Keep our spiritual batteries charged and always be humble whether we win or lose. When our earthly lives are over, we will hear God say, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.”
