Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women (Lk 8:1-2).
A simple statement but significant regarding how Jesus again is showing us how to live our lives as his followers, his disciples. Jesus is fully human and fully divine. What he has done and continues to do as the Son of God incarnate is to draw close to us in our humanity, as human beings, so that we can enter into a relationship with him and his Father through the love of the Holy Spirit, thus becoming one with him in his divinity.
From the beginning of his public ministry, throughout his time walking this earth, and continuing on after his resurrection and ascension into heaven, he invites people to participate in his life and the kingdom of Heaven which is at hand in his very presence. Jesus does so by building relationships. This is how Luke can write the verses that Jesus was accompanied by the Twelve and Mary Magdelene, Joanna, and Susanna. These were real people with whom Jesus developed real and intimate bonds.
Christianity is not a Lone Ranger religion, it is not the survival of the fittest, and Jesus did not teach us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We are created by God to be in communion, to be in a relationship with him and each other, to experience his love and to love one another. That means we need to ask for help from God and each other when in need and to come to the aid of, accompany, empower, and support one other.
We are invited to welcome, engage with, and make time for each other by exchanging in the stories of our tragedies and our triumphs. Let us resist the temptation of withdrawing into our own bubbles and instead, risk encountering one another. Relationships are not perfect. By putting God first, making a commitment to him and his commandments, and putting them into practice, we can better commit to being there for each other.
When we are growing in our relationship with God, he feeds the deepest core of our being as no other can. Thus fulfilled by his love for us, our insecurities that seek to derail our human relationships will diminish. We can risk being ourselves even when tempted by our fears to be otherwise. As we begin to feel safe in God’s love we can better breathe, trust, keep an open heart and mind, give the benefit of the doubt, and be more understanding, kind, and forgiving, all of which are ingredients for healthier relationships.
Jesus chooses each one of us to accompany him and to forge relationships grounded in mutual respect, where no one is last and where no person is left behind. Our addictions, insecurities, and prejudices only survive when we keep people at a distance. When we allow Jesus to come close, spend time with him and one another, we will see our weaknesses, sins and shortcomings, but also our gifts, possibilities, and promise. Conflicts will arise as we heal and purify, leading to greater intimacy. We will realize that we are not alone, we can acknowledge and reject the lies we have believed, and our relationships will heal and deepen.
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Photo: Quiet time with the Jesus and Mary in the sanctuary of St. Mary Catholic Church, Windsor Locks, CT.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 