Our theme for the day is faith.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Faith is a journey, a journey with God. As such, it is far more a relationship than a list of beliefs. As we walk in God’s footsteps, we do so at his leading, although we often discover that God reveals only one step at a time.
One of the true sources of strength is the communion with others who walk with us – or who have already journeyed ahead. This communion can strengthen us. The author of the book of Hebrews calls these a “great cloud of witnesses.” What a beautiful picture!
A long-time “witness” for me has been Thomas Merton: rebel turned monk, turned author and mystic. I would like to share a prayer of his as we begin this day in God.
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right path though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” Amen.
Lucerne at first light.
