If Jesus is our model, then why is there so much division and even hatred among those who call themselves Christian? Perhaps, Jesus is not the primary model for those of us who are thinking and feeling so harshly towards our “neighbor” or “sister/brother.”

When we were kids we used to put on costumes or create characters by wearing certain kinds of clothing. We did not do this just for Halloween. We performed plays, and created our own dramas and fantasy worlds. We would play “store” and pretend to sell shoes to customers. We even played “church” and acted out the Mass! Sometimes when we dressed in special clothes we wanted our parents or others to see us, or we wanted to see ourselves in the mirror. We would struggle to get in front of the other in order to see or be seen. We wanted to “model” our characters for others.

Without being aware of the dynamic, we are constantly proposing our own lives, our associations, our opinions and our beliefs as a model for others to follow. We are looking also at others to see what sort of model they can be for us, and then we adjust accordingly. This is a relentless activity. Again, it is an activity about which we are mostly unaware. As Christians, we are to become conscious and alert to being an explicit example of Christ to the world.

Jesus proposed to us that we become more conscious of his example a long time ago when he said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” St. Paul in his letters repeatedly asks his listeners and readers to imitate him as he, Paul, imitates Christ. Again, many of you will say to me that indeed Jesus is your model. Excellent! However, be aware that saying he is your model and living as if he is your model, are not the same. We must LIVE Christ-like lives!

To fail to become aware is to remain caught in the trap of jealousy, envy, greed, avarice, and covetousness. We lose sight of Jesus’ invitation to be loving, forgiving, merciful and compassionate like God. Instead we work and use our time not just to earn a living, but rather to have more than our neighbors who have become models to envy. We teach our children not so much to be Christ-like as to be more successful, more noticed than the neighbors’ children.

Let Jesus and his love be our model. Then, envy and avarice will be no more. Amen!

Peace, Fr. Andy