Remember your Leaders

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7). 

In the final chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews, the author exhorts the readers to remember their leaders. As I read this exhortation, I remember my leaders, those who have played important roles in my upbringing by sowing the seeds of faith and shaping my character in my years of formation. I consider myself blessed to have had leaders who showed me the way with their life example. I am sure that if you take a moment to ponder, you will also remember the people who influenced you in your journey. But as Christians, we also remember the champions of our faith –the Saints, who lived a righteous life and are living examples for us to follow. The church takes this exhortation seriously. We remember the saints in almost every prayer hour or ceremony in our church because when we pray, we are in heaven with the saints. They are our contemporaries and our close companions.

The apostle exhorts also to "consider their way of life" and "imitate their faith". In other words, our practice of faith is not only about asking the intercession of the saints (and to be perfectly clear, we don't pray to saints, we pray to God but we ask the intercession of saints because they are our companions of faith) but also living like them with courage, virtue humility and charity.

 Maybe you are thinking that saints lived mostly a primitive life, centuries ago in remote places and our reality today is totally changed. You are right. It is a big change. However, today we also read that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". This is such a comforting statement because it shows the consistency of God's love and the power of salvation that transcends time and space.

Our journey of faith is a marathon. Numerous souls have finished it and received the crown of victory. Let's learn from their success.

Yours,
Fr. Nareg

Read the Word of God. Today's readings are: Wisdom 6:22-26; Zechariah 12:6-10; Hebrews 13:7-9; Matthew 4:23-25.

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