In the midst of life we see death; from whom can we seek help?

I don’t remember the circumstances exactly, but my cousin Jim and I were being allowed to walk to the theater, at night, to see the new Bond movie, Thunderball.  It was not far from my house to the town square where the movie house was located, but I imagine our relative’s tongues were wagging over the prospects of these two boys being let loose on the town at night by my “free range” mother.  I always appreciate thinking of the amount of rope I was given by my mom and I don’t remember taking advantage of her leniency—very often.

“Of course we could walk to the movies on a weekday night, without getting into trouble,” I had argued.  After all, we had done it often enough on Saturday mornings—in the broad daylight.  If we had gotten into trouble though, there would be no one to lean on for help.  Only our wits and our legs to get us home.

Jesus said, “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name.” Once before Jesus told the disciples that He was going ahead of them to prepare a place for them.  That was when Thomas protested that they would never find Jesus where He was going.

Thomas said, “How can we know the way? We don’t know where you are going.” But Jesus told them, “I am the way, the truth, and the light.”

I imagine the disciples were afraid of what they heard once again—Jesus was leaving.  He would no longer be their protecting force.  They knew that protection was necessary.  They had seen what happened to Jesus at the hands of the Romans. They were right to be fearful. The world could be a place to be feared and now they faced a dark and scary world without Jesus—only under the protection of God.  How would this all turn out?

Peace,

Father Mark+