Every month, I receive a Year of Faith newsletter from Pauline Books and Media. This month featured a column written by Daughter of St. Paul Sister Kathryn James Hermes. Her driving point was that the most profound way we can speak of Christ is through, “the goodness of our hearts and lives, which, like a perfume, people can’t help but notice, (and) can drive people to Jesus when they are with us.” But to do this, one must be, as she says, “real.”
As a leader, it can be difficult to be “real,” especially when it comes to your mistakes. You may think that if people see your mistakes, they will think less of you and your ability.
I was talking with someone about sharing past sins with this person’s younger brother to keep him from committing the same sins this person did. This person was afraid that if those things were shared, the younger brother would look down on his older sibling and disregard any future advice. In the end, this person decided to tell the younger brother who afterward told me that he never looked up to his sibling more than he did now. “It makes me want to be better,” he said.
Read Sister Kathryn’s article at jclubcatholic.org/paulinekids/YearofFaith/tabid/178/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/204/May-We-can-Speak-of-Christ-in-Many-Ways.aspx
Makana Aiona is the diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry.