To Whom Shall We Go

08-22-2021Pastoral ReflectionsRev. Brian F. Manning

Whenever we enter a room through a doorway, we go through a place that it is called a "threshold". We cross this threshold when we have entered a new space and have left behind the room and space which we had been in. Many times, we stop at the threshold of a room to see what is before us, to remember what we left behind or to think about if we should even enter the new space. Thresholds hold great meaning, although often times we do not realize it. Thresholds are quite symbolic.

Whenever we enter a room through a doorway, we go through a place that it is called a "threshold". We cross this threshold when we have entered a new space and have left behind the room and space which we had been in. Many times, we stop at the threshold of a room to see what is before us, to remember what we left behind or to think about if we should even enter the new space. Thresholds hold great meaning, although often times we do not realize it. Thresholds are quite symbolic.

The Jewish people had been wandering around in the desert areas for roughly forty years and now they are at the entrance to the Promised Land. Joshua is gathering the Jewish people at the Canaanite shrine to mark the end of their long journey and to get ready to enter the Promised Land. They are indeed at a most important and sacred threshold of their lives. They will be leaving behind their desert journey with all its suffering and starting a new life of hopeful abundance in a new land. Joshua had most recently reminded them of the Sinai Covenant and had asked them again to choose to serve the Lord. They had agreed again to obey the covenant and they said: "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord ... we also will serve the Lord ... our God." After they had proclaimed all this faith and fidelity, they crossed the threshold and began a new life.

Our second reading addresses the issue of a threshold and a covenant when beginning married life. This example is the covenant between husband and wife, the foundation of a people, a family. This passage is addressing the topic of the responsibility incurred when one enters into a loving relationship. Saint Paul is telling us that the mutual and complementary love of the spouses is our best reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Our Gospel passage addresses a moment of truth and choice for the Twelve. Again, this is a threshold for the apostles, and they have to pause and think. To help them, Jesus tells them that the decision that they make is not the result of their courage, but rather a manifestation of their faith in God. This is to make clear that we arrive at the truths of words and work of Jesus by the work of the Father, not ourselves.

Recall at the start of this long Gospel discourse of Jesus, he had thousands upon thousands of followers and now he has only a very few. Thus, Jesus asked the Twelve if they also want to leave Him. Their response is powerful; it is "Master, to whom shall we go? [We] ... are convinced that you are the Holy One of God". Does this remind you of the first reading in various ways?

Are you able to say to Jesus that you are convinced that he is the Holy One? As a follower of Jesus over two millennia later, our response is as important as that of any of the apostles. Our response certainly can help change the world we live in and those who surround us. If our faith makes us strong in living the words and actions of Jesus, then our response will certainly make a significant different.