We all seek God’s direction through the journey that we encounter in life that at times may seem overwhelming. We may ask, “Lord, show us the way.” In doing so, we notice others asking the same question but seemingly on different paths.
If we earnestly desire that all people encounter Jesus on this journey of life, how can we best empower others who are seeking the Lord to arrive at the same destination? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” What are the means we have to introduce our Lord, and his “way,” to all of God’s people within the framework of our Catholic faith?
We can ask about the complex issues that affect us and can sometimes divide us. Where do we as men, women, married, single, clergy, and youth take a stand? If God’s truth is unchanging and people ignore what Jesus has taught us, can “drawing a line in the sand” be a loving gesture? Recall Jesus using his hand to draw on the ground before those who accused the woman of adultery. He won over the woman’s heart, challenged her, and caused others to reexamine their lives in his non-verbal teaching and his compassionate forgiveness. Like Jesus, in addition to using our hands for healing and charity, our hands are meant for sculpting the soils of forgiveness.
Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to you and me. The task seems daunting, as the wounds can be very deep. The injured might seek the best doctor, and rightly so. They may pray for a miracle, as we all have, at times, or may lose hope. To give someone hope leads to the strengthening of a person’s dignity that better enables them to receive the gifts that the Holy Spirit uniquely bestows on each of us to the glory of God the Father through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Communion, participation and mission are at the foundation of synodality- our common journey into the life of the Holy Trinity. The Lord calls each of us to build up His Mystical Body through the unique gifts that we have each received by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is to teach and inspire others by our example and words about the immense love and mercy that Jesus has for us as we journey together.
Some questions to ponder…
· How is this “journeying together” happening today at St. Luke Church?
· What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?