Children may close their ears to advice, but they keep their eyes open to example. A furious mother asked her son, “Young man, where did you learn to talk that way?” The boy was silent and then turned to his father and asked: ‘Daddy, should I tell her?’” Obviously, he had learned some bad habits from his father. Jesus strictly warns his disciples not to be a source of scandal or distraction to those entrusted to them. An African saying: Scandal is not like bread; there is never any shortage. It may be hard to avoid scandals, but possible to minimise them to the barest minimum. We should strive toinspire others positively with words and lifestyle. If we have been inspired by those we look up to, should those who look up to us not find inspiration from us? Jesus instructs us to inspire and uplift others through our words and actions and not to be the cause of people’s spiritual downfall through false information, doctrines, philosophies, heresies, ideologies, visions, prophecies, and negative behaviours. We can undertake to uplift others by engaging in spiritual works of mercy, such as bringing back wrongdoers to the right path and instructing the ignorant. According to St. Paul, anyone who wishes to set a good example must not be charged with insubordination or debauchery and must not be arrogant, quick-tempered, drunkard, violent, or greedy for gain. A person who inspires others is hospitable, a lover of goodness, a master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled (Titus 1:7-9). What efforts do we make to lead by example? Luke 17:1-6; Monday, 32nd Week