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Before I Forget…
-- The one who works with the wise becomes wise. -Proverbs 13:20
-- Without a vision, a people will perish. -Proverbs 29:18
-- Without mentors, a people will perish.
The word for Mentor comes from ancient Greek culture. In the Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus leaves his newborn son Telemachus under the watch of a trusted friend by the name of Mentor. When Odysseus returns from the Trojan War and his adventures with Cyclops and witches, he discovers that his son has matured under the care of Mentor. Homer later reveals that the person of Mentor is really the goddess Athena, who became incarnate in an ordinary man. Although this is a story from pagan mythology, we can learn much from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey even for the times we live in.
In our theology, we have God made flesh in Christ. As you and I live our lives, we have available to us the GREATEST mentor and model after whom we try to model our lives. Jesus Christ helps us live our lives in order to be the best human beings that one can be. Human mentors, as good as they are, can fail us, disappoint us and even let us down.
All of us deplore the declining values of our society. We may hear about terrorism on the news, but we see violence all around us from "road rage" to "child abuse". As values decline and people give up the Christian life, or they stop "practicing " their Catholicism, is it a better society? Why have we been forced to coin new words like "child abuse," "spouse abuse," and "abuse of aged parents"? Jesus Christ is about gentleness, non-violence, and forgiveness. We need people to model the way of Christ in our society.
William Delahoyde is an Assistant United States Attorney, He said, "Mentors are those who have gone before us on the mountain of life, but pause and extend a hand to help us along the way, or who extend a safety line of love and affirmation that may keep us from falling off the mountain."
How often I hear people say that they are glad that they don't have to grow up in these times. Our youth are surrounded by enormous challenges. Look at the mountains they have to climb. Where will they learn their survival tactics, both as human beings and as children of God? Will they be able to say at the end of their lives what St. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept faith." In 2 Peter 3:18 we read, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
We desperately need mentors both in the Church and in society. Throughout history, great people mentored others. Even in Sacred Scripture we see the art of mentoring. Paul was Timothy's mentor. Naomi mentored Ruth. Samuel mentored David, and David mentored countless others. Moses mentored Joshua. Elijah mentored Elisha. Jesus mentored the twelve, and human history was changed. Great people are mentored into greatness. Who influenced and mentored you over the years? Who are you influencing and inspiring?
I've been blessed to have had wonderful mentors growing up. Family members, priests, sisters, friends and teachers saw something in me that I didn't see. They took the time to inspire me to do my best and they believed in me. I'm sure you could say the same. Now it's our turn to help our young to become a great generation as Christians and as American citizens.
Instead of complaining about young people, let's coach, encourage, support, advise and listen as examples of integrity. Christ will help us!
Youth are our greatest national treasure! True or false?
Fr. Bill
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