There is a lot of talk about “role models” these days. Unfortunately most of whom we consider role models are far from qualified and set the extreme opposite example of what we should aim to become. Granted, there are a few out there who can be proud of the example they set, but they are very few and far between, at least visibly.
I am lucky in that I grew up in a house with 3 older brothers to draw my examples from. Lately I have begun to draw some parallels between my brothers and the Apostles of Christ—you know, who they remind me the most of.
My brother Bill is the “sensitive” brother of the family—I think he has more of the traits of “the beloved disciple, whom Jesus loved”, John. The qualities I admire the most about him are his compassion and understanding and the loving advice I can always count on him to give. Of course his most outstanding feature is his humility, but just like my other brothers, but it’s a humility that is tempered by confidence in himself and in his abilities.
The Apostle who “got in the game” late, but fervently defended it, even if it meant arguing with Peter and the other Apostles was Paul. He did what was right no matter what the gentiles (or the Jews) threw at him. He was straightforward with his teaching and advice and pulled no punches when it seemed the only way to get his point across was with a 2 x 4, but with great love. He “brags” about his humility, and he has a right to. In other words he knows how to control his humility to tell the truth. Another Apostle with this trait is Nathaniel of whom Jesus said, “There is no duplicity in this one.” This is how I perceive my brother Dick.
Then there’s Peter—I mean my brother Bob. As the oldest of my mom’s 5 boys, he is the “patriarch” of the rest of us. At least that’s how I see it. I know that Bill and Dick probably don’t see him like this because they’re closer in age to him, but my earliest memories are times when I wanted to be “just like Bob”. He seemed to know the answers I was looking for—and he still does! He knew just what to say when I was feeling down or incapable of doing something new to me. I remember he was the brother I turned to when I needed help with my homework because he wouldn’t lose patience with me when I didn’t “get” it right away. He was the one I turned to when I needed advice about something I couldn’t (or didn’t dare) go to Mom and Dad about (even though they found out about it anyway! Thanks, Bob!). He was also the “keeper of the Faith” for me (again—he still does!). When Mom had to spend some time in the hospital when our younger brother Tom and I were the only ones left in the house, Bob is the brother Dad called to come over and make sure we said our rosary. We didn’t say one rosary that night; we said two. Bob said we needed to say the one Mom wanted us to say first, and the second one was for Mom. I will never forget that.
I also won’t ever forget his and Marilyn’s kindness and brotherly love to Tom and I by including us in a lot of their ‘trips’. They took us to pumpkin patches, the beach, and the trip I remember the best—to Santa’s Village. I remember that trip because of the winding road through clouds to the top of a mountain, the snow when we got there, and Bob and Marilyn explaining how the clouds formed and where snow came from. Hey, I was 11 years old or so—I was really excited to learn this stuff!
When Dad died, Bob was the brother who lived closest to Mom, Tom and I and I had many occasions to call and ask for advice on how to be the “man of the house”. He "helped" me rebuild the engine of our car (actually, he rebuilt it, but let me take some credit) so I could drive Mom around like Dad used to. I could count on Bob to give me the right advice in the same way Dad would have.
Plus I thought it was cool (and I still do) that we share so many coincidences in life. For instance, we both share November birthdays. We were both born in Fowler, California. We both went further in the Boy Scouts than any of our other brothers. We both married girls named Marilyn. There’s probably more, but you get the idea.
Today, I count on Bob for a lot of my spiritual direction. I can be sure it’s spot-on traditional Truth and I have truly treasured and tried to follow every direction he’s given me. This is why I draw my parallel of Bob to St. Peter. He has his faults (as he will be the first [sometimes] to admit), but he is quick to defend Our Lord when he feels our faith is being attacked. He can be gentle and he can be firm—just what every sheep needs from a shepherd.
I love you Bob. Happy birthday.
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