Everyone is scared of the unknown. One of those situations is a retreat. Usually, we are placed in a position where we are outside our comfort zones. We don’t know what we are going sometime finding out things about ourselves is scary. Self examination is always uncomfortable.
I have been on many retreats in my life. One of which is a Cursillo. In it on the first night, the leader talks about building a house, one block built on another block. He goes on to say that at the end of the weekend you will know why you came and the house will be built.That goes for everyone in the room including the team.
My beautiful wife, Anna, will testify that I should not be building anything. I always say that I married her for two reasons. She is beautiful and mechanical. I am neither.
In today’s Gospel Jesus is talking about His Father’s house. He is talking about preparing a place for us. When I receive the Holy Eucharist, I always picture Jesus and I sitting on the front porch of that dwelling and looking out. I always ask Jesus where He wants me to go this day to serve Him.
This week is a special time for me because it is the anniversary of my First Holy Communion. As a 7 year old boy in my preparation for the first time receiving Communion I wrote this poem”:
“There was a man of gold and tarnished in red
Who walked the miles to Calvary’s head
And on the place they call “the skull”
He died for He loved us all.”
In our first reading from Acts Saint Paul was preaching this same message. Antioch was where we were first called Christians. These new Christians were overjoyed at Saint Paul’s message of the Resurrection and the sacrifice Jesus made just for us.
Saint Thomas in the Gospel says, Master we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? And Jesus said to him, ” I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Gather except through me”
In life there will always be uncertainties. Jesus says do not be troubled he is preparing the way.
All we have to do is follow His lead and have faith in Him. The Master builder is preparing a place for us. Praise God!
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
