so that your progress may be evident to everyone

“Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 TM 4: 15-16)

St. Paul reminds us how important the personal testimony is, in our own example- “so that your progress may be evident to everyone.” More important than good teaching is a personal testimony. St. Pope Paul VI used to say, “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Our progress in rituals, in being a gift of self, in our gentleness and respect, in taking care of our relationship with our spouses can be very crucial for our friends and relatives; when inspired by our examples they can make the same for their families. 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)