“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17)

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17)

Growing up, my mother always made her own dresses, and dresses for my sisters. She would go to the fabric store, pick out material, and then buy this envelope with a picture of the type of dress she wanted. Inside this envelope were brown paper templates or “patterns” that she would lay atop the material, and it would show her where to cut and then how to sew those pieces together to make the dress.

Paul reminds us that we are to use him and those others who also walk in “The Way” as templates or patterns in our own life. He encourages us to imitate him so that we might also wear the garment of salvation – fitted to us by how we live and conduct our lives.

Fr. John