Walking A Sometimes-difficult Walk … With Faith

            I will admit that as I begin this article, I am not sure where it will end up.  The Christian journey that we all walk daily, to a greater or lesser degree, is not an easy one.  It seems so simple on the face of it.  Be good.  Do good.  Simple … right?

            I have always admired those whose belief in God is this simple.  Not that the people are simple but that their faith is so true.  It has never been that simple for me.

            I have spent a good portion of my life studying the Faith and yet I still seem to be walking on this path not knowing what is around the next corner.  I think I understand the very basics and yet the daily tide of life seems to wash over me, blurring my vision and causing me to have to come up for air.  But enough about me.

            My dearest sisters and brothers in Christ.  It gives me hope that you are out there.  In your corners of the world, you continue along your journeys, possibly with great burdens, and yet you continue on.  You are not alone.  Christ is with you.

            We all have our own unique genetic makeup that makes us who we are and then we throw into the soup our individual life experiences and mix it all up.  We have our individual wants and needs, our desires for our loved ones, our desires for the Church and the world, expectations that are placed upon us, our responsibilities and finally a pressure from the world that sometimes states we are hiding our heads in the sand or that we are closed off and irrational.  Evil constantly attempts to chip away at the fabric and foundation of God’s creation.  And so, in the midst of all of this, what are we to do?

            For my part, it seems that we are to love like lambs and combat the forces of spiritual evil with ferocity.  It can be a difficult two-edged sword to wrap our minds around and yet it is our calling.

            Priests are to enrich their callings, and the laity are to support our clergy.  Parents are to raise their children in the light of truth and hold dearly the fabric of the family.  Youth are to prioritize their faith and realize that what is of this world is not their final destination.  The list goes on.  We all have a part to play, no matter our age or stage in life.  We are to love one another as God truly loves us.  So simple and yet so daunting.

            And even though it can take my breath away to think of it all, I would not trade it for the world.  Even in my confusion and weary state, I relish the thought of rising to one knee on this field of spiritual combat to take up my sword once more and do battle against the tide before me.

            Love conquers all things.  It is our unique responsibility to figure out, as Christians at this point in history, how to incorporate love into our daily lives.  This can manifest itself in so many ways; compassion, charity, forgiveness, understanding, patience, service, alms-giving, gratitude, respect, kindness, simplicity…and the list goes on.

            The 12 apostles and the rest of Christ’s merry band were extraordinary.  And yet, without you, the faithful of Jesus Christ living in this day and age, this Faith of ours will dwindle.

            So, my ending to this little walk?  Be resilient.  Be strong.  Be hopeful.  Be at peace.  Walk as though Christ is beside you in all of your undertakings … because He truly is.  And be sure to pass along the light of Christ to another, so that they too may be able to find their way along this Christian path.