Dear Friends in Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

When you think about it, our lives are filled with mentors. There are significant people who have left an impression upon you. Coaches, teachers, youth leaders, clergy, religious sisters or brothers, and of course your parents.

Hopefully and for the most part they imparted wisdom, good practice, practical knowledge, and a positive way of living. Those mentors shaped your lives for the better.

I remember my Boy Scout days. On my path to becoming an Eagle Scout I learned how to face my fears and the value of putting a plan into action.

My father and mother instilled lessons of care and compassion. They also taught me how to persevere and to trust in the better side of humanity.

Sr. Monica taught me to care for the injured and the hurting. Fr. Thomas Osdick O.S.B. instilled a sense of higher learning and seeking a greater purpose in life.

The list could go on and you can add your own mentors, life coaches, and inspirational leaders.

The point being, humans pass along to others their experiences, triumphs, and failures for the sake of the greater good. We all benefit from those who have gone before us.

Work within the church is no different. We are inspired and we inspire others. The story of God and his relationship with his creation is also handed down from generation to generation. The process never stops.

Moses shares some of his spirit (given to him by God on the mountain) to 72 other leaders among the people. Jesus hands on the work of the Kingdom to the Apostles who in turn hand it on to other leaders until it reaches us.

Jesus teaches his disciples, “For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” (Mk 9:41) He is willing to share his ministry and anyone can be rewarded who loves as he would love. But whoa to the one who scandalizes the little ones!

In the midst of sharing and giving of examples we should ask ourselves, “What am I portraying?” “What example am I setting. Is Jesus a factor in my life as I share with others. Just some food for thought.

Fr. Tom