The story is told about a man who, realizing that walking as a form of exercise is good for his health, started walking at the age of 65. We heard that up to now, he is still walking; he is nowhere to be found, and his relatives are looking for him.
* * *
In today’s Gospel (Mt. 4, 12-23), Jesus called His first disciples as He was walking by the Sea of Galilee. It was a walk that changed the lives of simple fishermen who, from then on, were to become fishers of men. It was a walk that made them encounter Jesus, and made them walk after Him. Are you still walking your own walk? Is there someone or something greater than yourself that you walk after or walk with? If it’s all about you, then your walk through life is nondirectional, vain and empty.
* * *
“You’ll never walk alone,” so the song says. True. Our journey through life is actually not about going far and fast. It is a journey that has a starting point and a final destination, but more than going to places or phases, it is a journey to the heart—to one’s heart, to other people’s hearts, and to God’s very heart. Unless and until we make that journey, all our walking and talking will be aimless and useless.
* * *
“Walk with faith in your heart and you’ll never walk alone,” so goes another song. Again, true. With faith, we can see more than what meets the eye. With faith, we can see meaning and purpose. When the first disciples followed Jesus in faith, they found their true worth, and their lives became truly significant. More than these, they found a companion and a Master, and fellow travelers on the road.
* * *
This week has been a walk with faith and in faith for me and our family. Our 92-year-old Mama’s health has deteriorated and she is now in the intensive care unit.
With faith, we can pray in confidence for her healing and recovery, but also we can pray that God’s will be done in the end. Only in and with faith can we find meaning in sickness, suffering, and even in death.
* * *
The outpouring of prayers and love for Mama has been tremendous. Our sincerest gratitude to all who have been praying for her and wishing her well. Mama is a very loving and kind person, gentle and humble, and very prayerful. She has given so much to so many all these years, and these are all coming back to her now in a special way. Love begets love. Kindness begets kindness. And life begets life.
* * *
It has been quite a journey for Mama. It has been a walk through many trials and problems, but it has also been a walk filled with love and meaning. Most of all, it has been a walk in faith. Her love for the Lord and her deep devotion to the Blessed Mother have made her walk purposeful, beautiful and meaningful. But who are we to say when the walk will end? The God we believe in is a God of love and a God of surprises. Miracles do happen and can happen. Please pray with us for a miracle. With God, nothing is impossible. With faith and prayers, the impossible can become possible!
* * *
For all of us, our earthly journey will come to an end someday. That’s for sure. How, when, where? No one is sure. At the doorsteps of death and eternity, everything will catch up with us, and everything will fall into place. At that point in time, our earthly deeds will be weighed. Divine justice will be the rule of the day. But divine mercy will also save the day.
* * *
Today is National Bible Sunday. May the Word of God be our guide and compass as we walk on. Without the Word of God to show us the way, the journey can be tedious and confusing. Or, we may even lose our way. Let us love the Word of God. Let us live the Word of God.
* * *
Whatever road we take, or wherever the Lord will take us, let us just walk on. We may stop, pause, slow down or speed up, but we must walk on. Let us be constantly reminded that we walk not alone, we walk not on our own, we walk not without a vision, we walk not without a mission, and we walk not without a final destination. Yes. We just walk on!
* * *
“Perhaps all of life is no more than a long preparation for the leaving of it” (J. Banville). Let us all live in such a way that when our last moments come, we will have little or no regrets that we loved too little, too late. Life is short. Death is certain. Let us not postpone our conversion to God, and let us not postpone our loving.
* * *
“I just want to say to you, whatever you’re going through, whatever is ahead of you, I’m always one with you…” Those are lines from the song “One with You,” the title track in the upcoming album of Fatima Soriano. It is so consoling to know that we can always be one with the Lord and with one another as we walk on.
* * *
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me no matter what, to just walk on. Amen.