This week I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. It’s Holy Week, and for me, as a Catholic, it’s a time to reflect not only on my faith, but how I can be a better person through my faith.

I have four holy cards on my nightstand — the only four I’ve ever owned — which I picked up a couple years ago while we were visiting one of the California missions. Of the four, I reflected most on one that I had found particularly appropriate: an image of Jesus with a small group of Boy Scouts. I know, I was equally surprised such a thing existed. 

On the back of the card, where usually would be found an appropriate prayer, was the Boy Scout motto and Law:

The Boy Scout Motto:

On my honor, I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout Laws, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically fit, mentally awake and morally straight.

The Scout Law:

A scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

It got me to thinking about my promise to do more to be a better person, to live my faith through my actions towards others. Up to this point, I hadn’t really come across a solid way to pin that notion down, to engrain it within…to make it personal.

Being an Eagle Scout, it really hit home. The Boy Scout motto sums up what I  see as the most simple and concise path to being the person I want to be. The Scout Law embodies everything we should strive to attain, in 12 powerful words. I was humbled when I thought about it…I had known this all along, had memorized it as a boy, but had let it fade over time.

Life should be a balance of living your faith, working towards your goals and striving to become the best person you can be. I believe the Boy Scouts did an excellent job of embodying these principles, and I intend to embody them myself as I continue my journey.

May you all have a reflective and revitalizing Holy Week, everyone.