Practice What You Preach

Dear Friends,

When I am stopped at a traffic signal – especially a long one – I find myself trying to figure the message of the license plates in front of me. Sometimes it can be a challenge. Reading bumper stickers can also be enlightening and interesting. This past week, just before I was going to write this column, I read a rather interesting one: “War doesn’t show who’s right – Just who’s left.” As few weeks ago I read a magazine article entitled: “Practice what you preach”. After reading the article (reprinted below), I thought it could have been titled: “Be careful what you say, it might come back to bite you.” Perhaps some might be able to identify with it. There is some humor, but also a good message.

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A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow. He did the right thing stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she dropped her cell phone and her makeup, missing her chance to get through the intersection. Still ranting, she heard a tap on her car window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.

The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal affects.

He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the “What Would Jesus Do? bumper sticker, the “Choose Life” license plate holder, the “Follow Me To Sunday School” bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian Fish Emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.”

As we go about our week let’s remember to be kind to one another, and to practice what we preach.
Fr. Martin

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