God's Personal Guidance System

As I considered the journey that our brothers and sisters have taken in their quest of joining the Catholic Church, I began to think. Their journey was a long one - sometimes marked with straight passages, and sometimes with detours along the way. They have thirsted for the living waters, and hungered for the Bread of Life. And now they have reached their goal. A new journey has now begun. Then I considered my own journey of faith. I know that mine was also one of finding my way easily; but also one of getting lost at times.

Did any of you ever get lost when you first moved out to this neck of the woods? Do you still find it a bit difficult to get somewhere when you're not sure of the directions - and you feel too embarrassed to ask? (I guess, if you're a woman, you ask. If you're a man, you usually don't) Well, living out here, or anywhere unfamiliar, can be quite an adventure - until you get to know the roads, and maybe even a few shortcuts.

I know what it's like to feel lost, and honestly, a bit panicky, when one road suddenly turns into another without warning and you don't know where you are. It happened even before I was assigned to this parish about 1976. I came out to Diehl's Orchard to order some cider for our paris's festival. Armed with my AAA map, my confidence was high. After all, I'm a man. I can follow directions. And it was easy enough. Having driven up I-75, I made a few turns, and got there safely. See? I could do it! Coming back, however, I decided to take Milford Rd. down to the expressway. The map looked correct enough (and it was), but my lack of preciseness, and a few distractions, led me on the wildest goose chase you ever saw. I landed smack in the middle of Kensington Park! And now, really starting to panic, I glanced at my gas gauge. It was below 1/4! I could't see any gas stations; and I just knew that, not only would I be stranded, but somebody would finally find me half alive, suffering from severe dehydration. Well, to make a long story short, I finally found a station - to my great relief.

If there ever was a time to have one, I certainly could have used a GPS - one of those Global Positioning Systems - but theyweren't invented in 1976. What a blessing those little things are. In fact, I have one right here in my hands. These are marvelous little creatures! This one's a TomTom; but I imagine all the brands are pretty much alike. These things tell you exactly where you are, right down to the actual number of feet from your destination. Using numerous satellites in the atmosphere, this device tracks your progress. Briefly put, it shows you the way and by the most efficient path. If you should stray from the path, the GPS is not ashamed to tell you: Stop! Get back on the right path! Just think - all this wise help - from a bunch of global satellites! Remarkable!

This GPS is great for us when we need to find our physical way around this earth of ours. It would be even greater if that's all we needed to do on this earth to find our way around roadblocks and to be directed to our destination. But there's more! We are put on this earth by God to find our way back to where we came from to find our way back home to find our way to heaven!

So, what kind of help do we have for this task? This GPS won't do the job. I have the answer. It's called GPGS - God's Personal Guidance System. G-P-G-S, instead of a GPS. The components of God's Personal Guidance System are few, but fool-proof; and they originate in the skies - from God Himself. Those components are: Jesus, the Bible and prayer, the Holy Spirit, Mass and the Sacraments, and your friends.

In Jesus, we have the physical expression of God the Father, of the Father's mind, and what He desires for us. He said: "Those who see Me see the Father. The Father and I are one" He came on this earth willingly, precisely for the purpose of what we are celebrating today - to give us new life, His life - through the waters of Baptism, through forgiveness of sins, through nourishing us with His body and blood. He has set us free. And all He asks is that we follow in His steps, on His path. It's a narrow one, He says; and there's a cross connected with it. However, at times we don't like the correct path. At times, we'd rather go on seemingly more exciting, even more dangerous paths. At times, we don't follow directions well. And when we do stray, Jesus cries out: "Stop! You're heading in the wrong direction! You'll get hurt if you continue! Turn back! You won't get where you want to go!" You see, all He wants is our safety, and to get back home to Him and our Father. I believe it. Do you?

Now, how do we know what's in the mind of Jesus? He tells us in the Bible. Get in touch with Him through this book. He has a lot to say. Then, consult Him in your personal prayer - even for that hour in front of Him in the Adoration Chapel.

Of course, the Holy Spirit, whom we receive in Baptism and Confirmation, will most certainly zap us with a gentle reminder every now and then, and move our minds and spirits to come to a joyful commitment to Jesus. Why should we be committed to Jesus and His teaching? Because He is known as "The Way." He said very pointedly: "I am the WAY, and the Truth, and the Life." That's the Spirit's role - to be the contact point between us and God. Just be open - that's all. The Spirit will give you the right directions.

The Mass and the Sacraments. Is there any better way to find the One who lives at the home where you are heading? Just having Him physically in us with the right intention is literally having heaven on earth - one foot in heaven every time you receive His Body and Blood! What a gift a weekly, or even daily gift, that ought never to be ignored or rejected! Great directions!

Finally, our Friends, our true friends are invaluable in helping us keep on the right track. They'll remind you, keep you on the right path, and maybe even touch a few tender spots as they jog your conscience not as somebody better than you; but as someone who really cares for you and wants to be in heaven with you.

So, how about it? Do you want to get to the place where you really want to end up? Then, use the time-tested GPGS - God's Personal Guidance System. And when you finally make it home, you'll hear the most beautiful words you'll ever be privileged to hear, ring out from Jesus, Mary and all the saints and angels: {voice coming clearly from the GPS} You have arrived at your destination!