The Way, and The Truth, and The Life
A Sand Finger-Labyrinth, Chartres style.
The Second Sunday of Lent ~ 3/5/23
Jesus responded to Thomas, “I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life.” John 14:6
It was difficult to decide whether to write on yesterday’s Franciscan theme of family, or today’s theme of loving your enemies. Looking to the readings for today, they are also worthy of discussion: Abram’s being sent forth by God to become a great nation (Genesis 12: 1-2), or, 2 Timothy 1:8-10 where St. Paul tells his followers to “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God”, reminding us once again, that we cannot live this life as a Christian, a follower of Christ, without help, especially help from God, or, the reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew 17:1-9 telling of the Transfiguration. One common thread was relationships, but also, sojourning, journeying, or pilgrimage.
Lent is a pilgrimage . . . it is the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. We begin by recalling that we were created from dust and will return to dust; our life itself is a pilgrimage – we are a pilgrim people. We can only make the journey into heaven as an individual soul, but we require relationships to help us along the way. Our most important relationship is with Jesus, for He is the way to the Father. It is clear throughout all the Gospels, just how intimate the Son was with His Father. When teaching the Apostles to pray, He addressed His Father, not so formally, but rather as a version closer to our ‘daddy’, Abba. It is the relationship He wants us to have, also. We can begin to develop and deepen that relationship each time we pray The Our Father.
I invite you follow the image of this sand labyrinth. The image should be large enough on a laptop to follow with a finger, pencil or stylus. Consider your Lenten journey this past week. Reflect upon how hard you have tried to deepen your relationship with Jesus the Son, and/or God the Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps you might examine your conscience in regards to the relationships you have with your family and friends. You may not have an enemy, per se, but there might be a relationship that requires some mending, someone hard to forgive? I think I mentioned that it’s not necessary to make grandiose gestures . . . a simple act of forgiveness can actually be one of the most difficult acts to consider, but also the most rewarding for not only the one who has hurt you, but for yourself. Jesus gave the bravest act of forgiveness while dying on the cross, to those who had persecuted Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
As you trace the path of the labyrinth, consider that Jesus is the Way. Purge all distractions and just contemplate this as you move closer to the center.
As you enter the center, meditate upon Jesus being the Truth. What does that actually mean to you?
As you exit, consider that Jesus is the Life . . . the Life within you. How can you integrate His life with yours? How can you be ‘Christ present in the world today’? . . . present to your family and friends? . . . present to those whom you find difficult to love or forgive? How can you improve this?
You still have several weeks until Holy Week. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
May you find peace along the journey, and may you continue to be blessed.