People Believe What You Do

Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

We probably all know someone who makes promises, but isn’t quite so good at keeping those promises. Eventually we learn, through their actions, that we can’t really rely on them. A wayside pulpit message says, “People may doubt what you say, but they believe what you do.” In the story of the Good Samaritan, those who one might expect to act to help the man on the side of the road just walk on by. The Good Samaritan acts, and so we see his goodness. His care and service spoke louder than any words.

Putting our words into action, or even skipping the putting into words part, says so much more. Leading by example is one of the standards of servant leaders. If we hope that others will volunteer for a cause, then our example of volunteering speaks better than a request. Actions build trust and credibility so much better than verbal claims. St. Francis of Assisi, in his Earlier Rule, says “Let all the brothers preach by their deeds.” Derived from those words, we often see the quotation attributed to Francis (even though he didn’t really say it!): “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary, use words.” A world of doers is a beautiful place.

Blessed Angela: “Your sacrifice of yourself is very pleasing to Him; try to persevere in that spirit of sacrifice, and do not be overcome by adversity.”