Walking In His Footsteps

Christian Joys

We returned this morning from an 8-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are still processing all of our experiences from Nazareth to Jerusalem, from the Annunciation to the Resurrection but in reflecting on today’s readings a few thoughts came to mind.

As I visited sites of Christ’s earthly life, I could relate to happy moments reflected in his life. I could relate to the joy Mary must have felt with his birth. Walking in Bethany I imagined the happiness Jesus must have felt in relaxing and sharing a meal with good friends. The marriage blessing we received in Cana reminded me that Christ wanted to ensure a young couple had a beautiful wedding celebration.

Human Suffering

But along with the moments of joy, I experienced sadness thinking of the times when Christ felt alone. When Christ fasted forty days in the Judean desert and was taunted by Satan. Chased out of his hometown in Nazareth by unbelieving crowds. Awaiting his crucifixion in the dark and damp room, abandoned by his closest apostles.

Yet, in John’s Gospel, Christ comforts his disciples with these words— “But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble but take courage. I have conquered the world.”

Despair and hopelessness are very human emotions which often overwhelm us as we read about Ukraine, the slaughter of innocents in Uvalde, Texas and a pandemic which has taken a million American lives.

Take Courage in the Lord

Certainly, visiting Calvary, climbing the stairs which leads pilgrims to Golgotha, one is overwhelmed with the sadness of our bruised and beaten Lord. But as we descended to Christ’s tomb, the power of the Resurrection echoed Christ’s words…” take courage. I have conquered the world.” The joys of Christ’s humanity paled in comparison to the glory of his divinity.

We are all fellow pilgrims in life. We need to sustain one another on this journey. And even those times when we feel alone, rejected and happiness eludes us, God is with us. Take courage.

[Readings: Acts 19:1-8; Jn 16:29-33]