CHRIST OUR GUIDE

A friend of mine shared this reflection while visiting the Infant Child statue at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The Infant Christ looks like He is rowing a boat. His hands are cupped like they are
holding an oar. His body is slightly leaning forward as if to pull the oar towards Himself. Which
boat you may ask is He steering? It is the boat of your life. He is there every step of the way.

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left” This
ancient prayer is from St Patrick’s Breastplate. In a way, this prayer has the feel of a compass.
Imagine standing in the middle of the compass and facing north. Left and right represent west
and east, and before and behind represent north and south respectively. Christ is surrounding you
from many sides. Plus, He is your navigator and helmsman. Since He is God and also the
Creator, He can help when the ocean of life becomes choppy.

He is there when we want to abandon our ship of life. He has a future for you and will never abandon you. It may seem that
sometimes Jesus is not around. But don’t worry, He is silently waiting for you. Jesus longs for
our love. So the question is whether you are going to let the Infant Christ take the helm of your
life and guide you through the good and the bad towards, heaven where the loving Father awaits
for us patiently.