I Will Follow Him

 

I began reading Eucharistic Meditations by St. John Vianney a couple of weeks ago, and this weekend I came to two short chapters, in which he spoke of how much he cherished the Feast of Corpus Christi, and its annual procession through his village of Ars, France.  This year I am on the planning committee of a local Corpus Christi procession and celebration in the city downtown park.  We met Monday night.

Yesterday, I read a couple of chapters in preparation for my small group study, using the book When You Pray, by Edward Sri.  The book helps lead you to deeper, real prayer with Jesus.  And at the end of the chapters I read for group discussion I read these words:

“Ask God to reveal to you a place in your life where he might be ‘weaning’ you off of a former way of praying and giving you more solid food for maturity.  Ask him to help you trust him in the new ways he may be leading you.  Ask him to make this new way of love delightful to you and surrender your growth in maturity to him.”

He speaks of a joyous participation in the life of Christ.  Earlier that same afternoon I met a man I hadn’t seen in a while, and the conversation turned to some melancholy times we have had in our lives.  Lately, even his wife noticed, he said.  “I’m doing all the good things I should, being a good man, going to church, praying, but …”  And I told him of a recent incident I had, where a conversation between two Bible study friends got contentious, and I walked away, not partaking in the conversation, not listening.  I thought I was doing a right thing, witnessing my faith, doing a loving thing by not arguing, but it later came to me in reflection on the Corpus Christi celebration and St John Vianney’s words, that I had acted righteously, but without joy.  St. John Vianney’s words remind us how loving Him, witnessing Him, should be a joy.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta demanded her sisters exhibit joy.  “The poor have enough problems without seeing your sour face.”  “Smile,” she said.  My friend and I made a commitment to work at exhibiting joy in our life, and feeling it.

And today, in these early morning hours I thought of these things, and the coming Corpus Christi celebration, and the procession behind the Body of Christ, being carried around the park.  My subsequent thought was that in a procession led by the Eucharist we could be saying “We will follow Him.”  Perhaps even a banner to be carried?  That physical witness of physical walking behind Him would be an image of our spiritual following.  Then I thought, no, this shouldn’t be like a parade we just watch, this is a commitment each is making: “I will follow Him,” and every one around me will see that commitment.  To the world I say, I will follow Him.  And I will do so with great joy.

I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary early today.  And as I meditated on His Passion, it came to me what following Him really means:  death to self, but life in Him.

A life with joy.

I will follow Him.

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For many years I listened to a CD I had of songs sung at a youth conference held at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.  It was extremely joyful.  One song really struck me though.  After a beautiful, moving song the announcer said: “Who here would stand up here in front of us and commit their life to Jesus?  Who will stand up and say their name and give their life to Jesus?”  There was a pause, then one person said: “My name is Eddie xxxx, and Jesus, I give my life to you.”  There was loud applause. Then, after prodding, another stood up.  More loud applause.  Then another.  Then lots at once.  And then the announcer said for those who committed to come up front onto the stage, for all to see.  And they were prayed over. And the segment ends with joyful singing, and another girl shouting loudly: “Jesus, I love You.  I give my life to You.”

I thought of that CD this morning, as I thought of those who might follow Him, in procession, and the joy which awaits them. 

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And then this morning I learned Al Kresta has liver cancer.  Founder and head of Ave Maria Radio, the largest producer of Catholic Radio programming in the country, who has faced so many spiritual and physical battles in his life, is now fighting another.  But I am sure he will be fighting it with joy.  It’s just how Al is.  He gave his life to Jesus many years ago, and has been dancing along behind Him ever since.