We are on a difficult journey
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Jesus, only son of the Father, was sent to be among us to redeem us. Through the institution of the Eucharist, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, He lives among us and He is with us every step of this difficult journey, our life.
The goal of our journey is to be with Jesus, with God, in eternal life. Eternal life is worth waiting for, but it is a road strewn with obstacles, and how we negotiate these obstacles often brings great pain and suffering. One needs to have “Spiritual backbone,” as my aunt, Sr. Benedicta of St. Joseph, ODC, (a Discalced Carmelite nun, d. 1989) put it. She told me that God could remove all the difficulties facing us, but that He wanted people who went the extra mile. You see, many give up too easily. We are Dutch-born, and the Dutch are very stubborn. Once I make up my mind, that’s it, and I promised God I would live life His way. My dear aunt would agree with me.
Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27) If we love God it must be without any conditions. He died for us on the Cross for the remission of the sin of the world, to redeem us, and he did not attach any conditions to this deed of love. We do not love Him because it feels good. We love Him because He is love. We wish to love Him with our whole heart, whole mind and with our whole soul. We love Him by not sinning. If we love Him we must love everyone else, unconditionally without strings attached. Can you do this? Try!
Peace and all Good,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
April 9, 2025