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Mom's Holiness the Most Important Factor...
"The one thing most likely to induce the faithful to lead a really Christian life is precisely the virtue of the one charged with teaching it. On the other hand, his imperfections are almost infallible in turning people away from God... That is why the apostle ought more often to have the torch of good example in his hands than fine words upon his lips, and should be the first to excel in the practice of the virtues he preaches. A man whose mission it is to preach great things, says St Gregory, is, by that very fact, bound to perform them."
Dom J.B. Chautard, The Soul of the Apostolate, Kentucky, Abbey of Gethsemane, 1946, p115
posted by Holly at 8:22 AM
2 Comments:
I cannot lead my children to Christ by mere words alone. This is what the Pharisees were trying to do in Jesus' day - they spoke lots of 'good things', but their hearts were filled with hypocrisy.
There's a little expression - "Monkey see, monkey do" which would serve well here. What we DO is a far greater teacher than just what we SAY. Paul VI said our witness is the primary tool for evangelization, and only secondly, the words we use to explain what we do. Otherwise, our words are hollow and meaningless.
But there is something else which is even more primary, more fundamental - and that is prayer. We will never achieve holiness nor effective virtue without prayer.
We may complain that as Moms we're too busy, but this is simply untrue. There is ample time for any mother to pray, and pray often throughout the day. In doing so, we will get in touch with God, the source of all good and love.
A Mother's Rule of Life will ensure that you are getting ample prayer, and that you will be living your vocation in fidelity to God's designs. THEN you will beecome the witness you truly wish to be for your children. THEN your words of guidance for the children will have their intended effect.
So the order of importance is:
prayer, witness, word...
As Saint Francis said, "preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words."
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