“I AM the Way…” (December 5-6)

I was listening to a podcast, “Abiding Together.” I have referenced this podcast before. Abiding Together is a weekly podcast. It is hosted by Michelle Benzinger, Sister Miriam James Heidland, and Heather Khym. According to their website, their goal is to “provide a place of connection, rest and encouragement for people who are on the journey of living out their passion and purpose in Jesus Christ.”

A recent production of theirs was “Scripture Series Part 3: Waymaker - Jesus the Way, The Truth, and the Life.” It had numerous Advent themes and reflections. I thought I would hit the [Pause} button on my reflections about Fratelli Tutti for a few weeks and focus on the current liturgical season.

We find ourselves in the midst of Advent. It’s December. It is the start of a new liturgical year. There are only a few weeks left in the calendar year.

How do we not squander the time left? How do we take full advantage of Advent and the Christmas season? How do we look back? How do we press in on the season?

In John 14:1-6, we read, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

What are we supposed to do? “How do we know the way?” First, Pause. Reset. Get quiet. Be aware of the moment. “Lord, you are the way. Help create a way because I cannot figure this out right now. I need you to be “the way” right now and I want you to do it right now.” Hear the voice of Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”