1 December | Youth
«Let him turn away from evil and do good.» 1 Peter 3:11
Someone once said: “A gesture is worth a thousand words.” Have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of this phrase? Have you noticed that, in reality, many people prefer to multiply words and forget to do what is necessary?
During the coronavirus pandemic, a doctor had to work a shift of almost 36 hours. Lives depended on him. His sacrifice to stay on his feet and continue providing care meant hope for desperate patients who kept arriving at the emergency room.
At the end of the shift, and very tired, the doctor asked for some food. He was hungry. When he received the food, he noticed something unusual about the lid. There was a sticker with a note: “Seasoned with gratitude. Thank you for being a healthcare professional and taking risks to save us.” This attitude was a shot of encouragement for that brave doctor. In reaction, he posted on his social networks: “It is for gestures like this that any sacrifice is worth it.”
You do not need extraordinary things to make a difference in people's lives. You do not need to use many words. Small gestures of love and recognition speak much louder. The doctor was not happy because he got a pay raise or anything like that. His joy was the result of a simple gesture, but full of meaning, which translated gratitude and love into action. That makes a difference. Someone did something and made that professional's day different.
The gospel of Jesus is only truly expressed when the words of salvation echo in coherent attitudes. Christ is the ultimate example of the meeting of words and actions. He is the incarnate Word, who gave Himself with no reservation so that the eternal content of God’s message could become effective.
Contrary to this, the world is full of false speeches and empty promises. Hypocrisy is opposed to love and contradicts the essence of the message of salvation. This is the time when God's people need to rise up with practical attitudes that loudly proclaim the eternal gospel. As Francis of Assisi said: “Always preach; if necessary, use words.”
What attitudes can you show to those around you that will indicate your gratitude, appreciation and recognition? Who could be happy with your gesture of love and gratitude? Why not dedicate this day to conducting gestures of kindness and love, revealing God's love to those around you?