Writing 500 years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, had some timely advice for us on the threshold of a new year and a new decade in a still new century. He insisted that just as any goal can motivate us, the higher goal of serving God should motivate Christians much more than baser motives like money and fame motivate other people.
“Do not ever permit the children of this world to show greater care and solicitude for the things of time than you show for those of eternity. It should bring a blush to your cheek to see them run to death more unhesitatingly than you to life,” he admonished his followers.
To become a model of selfless motivation, he suggested that people adopt the very best role models. Of course, you can’t do better than Jesus in that regard. But it may also prove helpful to adopt a particular saint as a patron and to also seek out the very best mentors you can find.
- What does Jesus have to teach me and show me about becoming the very best leader I can possibly be in all phases of my life?
- Do I know of a saint — or can I find one — whose example and/or teaching might inspire me to stay focused on my deepest purpose in life?
- Who will I “adopt” — either from a distance or up close and personal — to help mentor me as I strive to be a Jesus-like leader in the coming New Year?
Adapted and used with permission from Take Five: On-the-Job Meditations with St. Ignatius by Mike Aquilina and Fr. Kris D. Stubna, Copyright © by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
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