“Listen regularly every day as if he were the one friend who does not deceive, the one with whom we wish to share the path of life. Of course, you know that when we do not walk beside Christ our guide, we get lost on other paths, like the path of our blind and selfish impulses…which leave emptiness and frustration in their wake” (Pope Benedict XVI, August 18, 2011)
Several years ago I received an interesting phone call from a man who wanted to meet with me. He had a friend in another city who had experienced a huge conversion through contact with a Legionary priest and he “wanted the peace and joy that his friend had in his heart.” During our meeting, he explained how he tried absolutely everything that he thought would make him happy- exotic travels, promiscuity, heavy drinking and drugs, extreme sports, etc…and because of his successful business, he had the money to live this bachelor’s lifestyle for nearly 20 years. It was all about him, and I could see in his tired face that he was absolutely miserable. I tried my best to guide him back, but in the end he told me, “Fr. Michael, I have never had peace in my heart. I was raised Catholic, I know the path, but I am not sure I am willing to go there.” Please pray for this gentleman!
Christ is the “Way” and only by walking with him, in his example of prayer and selflessness, will we reach fulfillment here, and heaven and eternal happiness in the life to come. Stay the course and don’t wander off the path!
