Crossing Over to the Other Side

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

(Click Here for Readings)

Bridge over Hoover Dam - Nevada January 2015

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.

Are you stuck in a rut? Do you find yourself on the middle of a bridge, unable to walk to the other side?  You see the water hundreds of feet below crashing violently while the bridge sways back and forth.  You can turn back and return the direction you came; that end of the life bridge is old familiar territory.  It's rocky and uneven, filled with dissatisfaction and misery; yet you've grown used to the numbing effects.  Perhaps you're in a dead end job without growth potential.  You need the steady paycheck to keep food on the table.  Maybe you're addicted to alcohol and/or drugs.  You depend on them just to survive the day.  Perhaps you've strayed from the Church.  You feel a nudge to return to Mass, but guilt keeps you away.

You see the possibility of significant change to your life on the other side of the rickety bridge.  Fear and anxiety is so overwhelming that you just don't think you can move forward.  You realize a new job can be found; it takes perseverance and determination to make it happen.  A local AA group awaits on the other side of the bridge willing to help in addiction recovery.  Most comforting of all is that Jesus looks forward to your arrival on the other side. He outstretches his arms in a warm embrace, accepting you even with imperfections.  No need to feel guilty for turning away from his loving mercy because he forgives you no matter what you may or may not have done....

Jesus heals and saves.  All we have to do is trust in him always.  When fear overwhelms us, we should pray.  When grief rubs us raw, we should pray.  When a lack of hope keeps us from moving forward, we should pray even more vigilantly.  God provides us with a way out of unfortunate circumstances, but we must pay attention to the clues and access the resources.  

Nobody wants to be stuck on a bridge forever. Certainly, nobody wishes to live their entire life in a perpetual rut, addicted to inaction.  This can be even more devastating than actually taking a chance to turn our lives around.  Even if we take a leap of faith, and things don't work out exactly as we hoped, there are always other avenues to explore and other bridges to cross. 

Today is the feast day of Saint John Bosco, Italian priest and probably one of the most significant contributors to Catholic youth ministry.  Despite anti-clericalism and anti-church sentiment in Italy, he remained steadfast in his call to work with  youth.   Through unconventional oratories and games, he engaged in youth in ways that brought them closer to Christ.  It was as if each one of the boys he ministered to stood on their own life bridge.  Fortunately, they decided to head in the right direction into the loving arms of Christ and away from lives of crime and disorder.

When life gets you down, and you feel like your stuck, turn to Christ with a humble and contrite heart.  Pray for the courage to make it across that rickety life bridge.  Don't be afraid!

(As always, I love to end posts with an inspiring quote.  Here it goes!)

"Don Bosco once asked a cleric, 'What do you think is the easiest way to become saints?' He himself answered, saying, 'To recognize the Will of God in our Superiors and to submit entirely to it.'" 

Saint John Bosco, Pray for Us!!

-J.