The Walk with Jesus

The Walk With Jesus

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         While pondering the readings of the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, I began to think of my lifetime walk with Jesus.  Maybe, many of us have followed the same pattern.  We go to Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday morning and Holy Days of Obligation.  We go to confession when either we find time during our busy schedules or when we find a priest available to hear our confession and give us absolution.  We say morning and evening prayers that last about 15 minutes each if we give that much time.  We say grace before and after meals if we remember, and we think of ourselves as people who are serving God.

         Now, let me bring a dose of reality to that type of life.  Yes, everything we do as mentioned above is basically the bare minimum.  Did Jesus do the bare minimum for you?  No, He gave his very innocent life for you, paid the price for all our sins, and gave you the opportunity to be with Him forever in Heaven. 

         We must develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.  Think of Jesus as a kindly older brother who seeks always to foster his relationship with you.  Please do not think of Jesus as an ATM machine.  I know that we go to Jesus with all of our problems.  Actually, He wants all our problems so that He can propose solutions to our problems and help us live life to its fullest potential.  He always wants to hear from us.  I know that we try to say “Thank you” for all his help, but is that our only relationship with Him?  Do we ever meditate on the goodness of Jesus?  Yes, I know that we walk with Him on Holy Thursday evening through His Last Supper and Agony in the Garden.  We follow Him on the road to Calvary.  We mourn with Mary at his passing.  Do we realize that our sins put Jesus on the cross and not just the sin of Adam and Eve?  We must keep that reality on our minds always.  Think of His sufferings for us always.  It is called the Way of the Cross.  We also must carry our own crosses until we exchange that cross for a crown in heaven.  This will help train our minds and wills to “commit these sins no more”.

         Once we begin offending Jesus less by our thoughts, words, and deeds, and spending more time with Him during our daily life, the fruits of that work begin to materialize.  We begin to share more love with those around us.  His eternal peace becomes part of us as we begin to recognize Jesus in everyone we meet, and treat everyone accordingly with His love.  There are other benefits to this relationship.  Please do not act only for the benefits of this relationship.  Please act only for the love of God.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Laus Deo.  See you in Paradise.