There is this picture on my wall, across from my prayer chair. It’s a picture my wife took, altered to have that antique, vintage look, and it’s of my son and I holding hands and walking on a covered bridge. He’s maybe 3 or 4 years old, and we’re walking towards the open end, light streaming in, and so all you see is our silhouettes against the light, the sides of the bridge surrounding us.
I love this picture because I see the innocence of my son, and the important job a father has to lead and guide him. And I remember that day. It was a good day. We spent time not only walking on the bridge, but walking on trails along the river underneath, playing in the park adjacent to the bridge, and simply enjoying a beautiful day with my family.
But I also love this picture because it is so symbolic. Every time I am in my chair, reading scripture, contemplating, praying – it is the first thing I see when I look up, as if to be a constant reminder. A reminder not only of a cherished time with my family, but also that there is an eternal Heaven that Christ is leading us to across the darkened tunnels and bridges of our lives.
And I also think to myself that when my time comes to pass, that will be Jesus leading me across that very bridge to His Home for eternity.
It gives me peace. It is the bigger picture of our existence.
I couldn’t help but think about this today as I write. You can look at the readings today and reflect on the many parts, one body in Christ theme, about how we all have a role to play, we all have our strengths and purpose in life, just as Jesus fulfilled His purpose and played His role. I think about all the blessings I’ve been given in my life, and how more often than not, those blessings come through some sort of struggle. We often do not see, nor even understand the bigger picture, how we all play a part.
So many times, we seek God and ask why, we ask what our purpose is. We ask what role we are supposed to play and how we can use our gifts. We seek not only how we can fulfill His purpose, but also how we can be fulfilled, and often our will and His Will are not the same. But after it’s all said and done, you look up and your purpose is staring you right in the face.
Jesus said to them in the synagogue after He read the passage from Scripture:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The bigger picture, their Purpose was staring them right in the face.
When I am praying and contemplating the ebbs and flows of life, reflecting on what Scripture means to me and how I can play a part – I look up, and it is staring me in the face.
I see that picture. I see my purpose as a father and a husband to lead my wife and son to Christ, and to be Christ to them. I see purpose in what I do to provide for them. And I also see purpose in being Christ to others around me through the gifts and talents He gave me, whatever the occasion, whether it is in serving Him through my work, and my parish, and my community.
It may be daunting at times, but that is our purpose, and though we may fail at times, the words of Thomas Merton ring true that I believe that the desire to please Him does in fact please Him.
We have to get up, and keep trying. We have to keep our heads up and see that bigger picture in our lives, and keep trying to serve Him through the gifts He gave us and the One True Gift – the One that is staring us right in the face, trying to lead us Home.
