Constant example despite personal faults

There is another reason of justice that obliges us to give good example: so as not to give a bad name to our brothers and sisters in the Work. That absolutely illogical sentence, ab uno disce omnes, is, unfortunately, often a common rule for judging. Hence our good example has to be constant and everything should be an opportunity for apostolate, a means for giving doctrine, even though we have weaknesses.

Not being afraid

Without fear. And to be without fear, be without blame. If you have some weakness, I recommend that you repeat the words of Peter to Jesus, which I usually repeat after each of my mistakes: Domine, tu omnia nosti, tu scis quia amo te (John 21:17); Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.

Self-knowedge

The knowledge of our errors makes us humble and makes us come closer to our Lord. Moreover, we should be aware that, by God’s providence, as long as we are on this earth we will make mistakes and err. St James tells us that Elijah was a sinful man like us; nevertheless, he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit (Jas 5:18).

Personal and responsible behaviour

My children, each of us acts in a personal and responsible way. We must try to set a good example for every person and for society as a whole, because Christians cannot be individualists who forget about the needs of others. Nor can Christians live selfishly and turn their backs on the world; they are essentially social, responsible members of Christ’s Mystical Body.