Everyone is on the move.
Seasonal residents head north, while others move south to make a new home in the sun. Students prepare for graduation and the next stage of their journey.
Young adults ponder where to live and work and set down roots. Retirees adjust to their new status, hoping their plans will play out. Even those who cannot move like they used to begin to consider what lies before them – an inner movement of heart and mind that opens up to greatest journey and adventure of all.
Yet for all our movement, we only see a step or two ahead. Walking with Jesus, we can learn to entrust every stage of our journey – and its outcome – to Him. As John Henry Newmann wrote in Lead Kindly Light, “I do not ask to see the distant shore – one step enough for me.”
“Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?” The disciples also wanted to know where all this movement was leading. Jesus gives a surprising answer. “I myself am the Way, and the Truth and the Life.” Jesus does not just lead us to some destination. Jesus himself – being with him – is both the way and the goal of all our striving.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle thought of God as the Prime Mover, setting in motion everything else that is moving in the world. But Aristotle could never have imagined that God is Love. Only Jesus Christ – God with the Father and the Holy Spirit – could reveal to us this deepest mystery of all reality. In love, God created us, sustains us, draws us, and shares his own life with us.
“No one comes to me unless the Father draws him.” (John 6:44) “When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32) “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
This weekend, many of our youth will receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. Jesus opens for them a new step along their way. And He will be there to nourish, guide, heal and strengthen them every step along the way through this marvelous Sacrament of his love.
As we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, as we adore Him in Eucharistic adoration, may he give us strength and guidance for every step of our journey. Jesus, the Way and goal of our faith, Jesus, the Teacher and the Truth he imparts, Jesus, who gave his life and who is our Life.
-Fr. Tom
