An Extraordinary Example of How Our Work Can Deeply Affect Others

We'll be taking a look at and extraordinary example of how our work can deeply move others. It presents a good contrast to the focus of our last post on the ordinary sort of work most of us perform.

Our example involves war. To be sure, most of our everyday work is likely nothing like what men at war face. But we might consider that even our everyday work might in some way affect others for the good.

Whether we're conscious of it or not, our thoughts, words, and deeds to touch other people, sometimes in ways we can't fathom, or even know about. So it behooves us to do all we do as if we're setting an example that others might draw on in some way.

Now, the example of these men at war likely was not something any of them thought could be an inspiration to others - an inspiration that went so far as to cause men to convert to their Catholic Faith. (When it comes to deeply moving others, you can't beat be instrumental in their conversion!) But that's why this example is so powerful. Here are men going about their "ordinary" activities in extraordinary circumstances, giving no thought to converting others to the Faith. And yet their example did just that.

The author of this passage is Father William Doyle. He's already quite familiar to anyone who's read this blog. Father Willie wrote this shortly before he himself was killed in battle...

For the past week we have been moving steadily up to the Front once more to face the hardships and horrors of another big push, which report says is to be the biggest effort since the War began. The blood-stained Ypres battle field is to be the centre of the fight, with our left wing running down to the Belgian coast from which it is hoped to drive the enemy and, perhaps, force him by a turning movement to fall back very far.

The preparations are on a colossal scale, the mass of men and guns enormous. Success is certain our Generals tell us, but I cannot help wondering what are the plans of the Great Leader, and what the result will be when He has issued His orders. This much is certain: the fight will be a desperate one, for our foe is not only brave, but clever and cunning, as we have learned to our cost.

Mass in the open this morning under a drizzling rain was a trying if edifying experience. Colonel, officers and men knelt on the wet grass with the water trickling off them, while a happy if somewhat damp chaplain moved from rank to rank giving every man Holy Communion. Poor fellows: with all their faults God must love them dearly for their simple faith and love of their religion, and for the confident way in which they turn to Him for help in the hour of trial.

One of my converts, received into the Church last night, made his First Holy Communion this morning under circumstances he will not easily forget. I see in the paper that 13,000 soldiers and officers have become Catholics since the War began, but I should say this number is much below the mark. Ireland’s missionaries, the light-hearted lads who shoulder a rifle and swing along the muddy roads, have taught many a man more religion, by their silent example, than he ever dreamed of before.

Many a time one’s heart grows sick to think how few will ever see home and country again, for their pluck and daring have marked them down for the positions which only the Celtic dash can take: a post of honour, no doubt, but it means slaughter as well.

We moved off at 10 p.m., a welcome hour in one way, as it means marching in the cool of the night instead of sweating under a blazing sun. Still when one has put in a long day of hard work, and legs and body are pretty well tired out already, the prospect of a stiff march is not too pleasant.

The ordinary work most of us do can't compare to these "light-hearted lads" marching along, inspiring others, whether they realized it or not. But we can and should realize that our own work - how we do it, how we comport ourselves with others - may very well inspire them in some way beneficial to both them and us. And God surely smiles upon us if we can manage to run our work and - perhaps especially - our home lives in this fashion.

If we do we'll elevate our ordinary example to an extraordinary one.