Jason Leader was sick. The twelve-year-old had neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor that attacks the adrenal glands and nervous system. But Jason also had someone special who gave him hope: Mo Vaughn, who then played for the Boston Red Sox.

Mo was Jason’s favorite pro baseball player.

Through the efforts of The Jimmy Fund, a charity that helps kids with cancer, Mo met Jason. They connected instantly and became great friends.

When Mo first met Jason, he promised to try to hit a home run for him in his next game. And just like in the movies, in the seventh inning of the next Red Sox contest, Vaughn smoked a 3–1 pitch for a round-tripper.

There were other special moments in the friendship between this young fan and his caring major league friend—including the day Jason threw out the first pitch for a game at Fenway Park in Boston.

But a year and a half after Vaughn hit his special home run for Jason, the young man took his last breath. And Mo was in attendance at the funeral for Jason in Niverville, New York.

Mo had demonstrated what brotherly love is all about:

• Showering love on someone (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

• Showing it in an ever-increasing way (v. 10).

• Not depending on nor disturbing others (v. 11).

• Living and loving in a consistent way that affects others (v. 12).

That’s the kind of love believers in Christ should have for each other. By showing “brotherly love,” we become a better witness for Him. And in the process we may lift the spirits of someone who needs hope.

How do you show brotherly love? Mo knows.