28 March, Friday — “Walk with me…”  

Friday of the 3^rd Week of Lent

Hos 14:2-10
Mk 12:28-34

For the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.

Today’s reflection was difficult for me. Nothing really jumped up from the texts, but this line pricked my conscience and made me reflect a little more. Perhaps it is also because I am rather clumsy and I tend to stumble a lot. Does this mean that I am a bigger sinner than most?

The Lord exhorts us to walk in His ways. That by following Him, our lives will have purpose. To aid us in following His ways, he has given us the commandments. Especially the 2 greatest commandments, as related by Jesus. “To love God, and to love our neighbour as ourselves”.

When we lose our way, and we will, the Church also offers us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, should we desire it, so that we can start to walk in His ways again. Do I try to walk in His ways? Yes, I do. Am I successful in not stumbling? That’s a big fat NO.

What I believe is that it is not the number of times that you stumble, it is how we want to get up every time we stumble. This reminds me of a scene from a movie where the hero, Rocky Balboa, tells his son: “It’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.”

This reminds me that although I keep stumbling, I must pick myself up and continue to live as God wants me to. Whether I must change something in my life or drop some bad habit, I have to make that intentional decision to move forward, along His paths. And as I do, I know I cannot walk alone; I ask our Blessed Mother and her son, Jesus, to walk with me. To be companions on my journey.

I remember during one of my long runs, I was really dreading it — the heat, humidity and sore legs were just putting me into a bad frame of mind. I decided to ask Our Blessed Mother to be with me, and at that moment I did feel that Jesus and Mama Mary were with me on that run. I cannot describe it, but the entire duration of that run felt really short and enjoyable.

I also believe that although the ways of the Lord may be narrow and winding (Matt 7:14), He is constantly aiding us and guiding us. It may not be as clear as the road signs on our highways, but there are always signs that tell us that we are heading in the correct direction; but there will also be signs that mislead us. Let us all ask for a discerning heart to know the difference and not to be distracted from the end goal. Keep your eyes on the prize, as some people might say.

As we journey along this life, where distractions and temptations are plenty, I make this prayer that all of us may be graced with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help and guide us on the narrow paths of the Lord. That we may all, one day, meet our God at the end of the road where He will greet all of us with these words, “Welcome my good and faithful servant.”

(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we want to walk with you. Guide us on the right path where we can journey with you so that we can open our hearts and our ears to hear you and to love you more. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for the many times You walk with us, for the many signposts along our journey and for the guides that You put in our paths — leading us always to you. Grant that when we stumble, we may have the strength to pick ourselves up and to continue on the narrow path that leads to Life. Amen.