Life’s journey is filled with crossroads.  As we travel along on the way of life we invariably will find ourselves standing at a crossroads and asked to make a decision.  Even our faith journey confronts us with a constant decision of faith that we must make.  Although we would love to have a preview of what might lie along each road before making our decision, we are not given that comfort.  Each road lies shrouded in mystery.  St. Paul reminds us: “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2Cor 5,7)  Thomas asks the Lord at the Last Supper, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (Jn 14,5)  Jesus gives Thomas the assurance, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14,6)  Surveying the roads ahead, how do we make the decision which road to take?

    As the roads stretch out before us, it may seem that one road is difficult, narrow, uphill and challenging.  This road does not look too appealing to us.  The other road may be wide, worn and well-traveled and there is a great temptation to want to take the easy road.  When the road of faith becomes difficult to travel there are many who will abandon the road and follow a seemingly easier route.  The world is always tempting us with an easy way, a way that not only avoids difficult obstacles but also promises to be alluring and pleasurable.  We will have plenty of companions along that way as it seems like everyone we know is going along that way.  Why walk a road alone when we can follow the way of the world?  In his teaching, Jesus has cautioned his disciples, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.  How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.  And those who find it are few.” (Mt 7,13)

    In leading the people of Israel into the promised land, Joshua stands at a crossroad of faith and challenges the people to make a choice who they will serve.  Serving the Lord and keeping the Covenant and his commandments will not be easy when the people enter the land of Canaan and come into contact with the many false gods of the land.  “Joshua addressed all the people:  “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”” (Joshua 24,2)  The people all agree to serve the Lord:  easy to say, but it will not prove easy for them to do.

    St. Paul, in his exhortation to the Ephesians, points out the road that is marriage as being a road that the two partners must walk as one.  To forsake the way of selfishness and individualism and to submit to a greater unity of persons in love is to choose a difficult path.  St. Paul speaks of it as a “magnum sacramentum” or a “great mystery.”  “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.” (Eph 5,32)  To choose to be a sacrament of love in the manner of Christ and the church is to walk a narrow and more difficult road.

    The teaching of Jesus on the Eucharist and the real presence of Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity in the Bread of Life that he offers the people as spiritual food causes quarrels among his disciples.  The disciples are brought to a crossroad on the way of life that Jesus is teaching.  Many of the disciples say, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (Jn 6,60)  “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.  Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”” (Jn 6,66ff)

    When standing at the crossroads, to choose the narrow, more difficult and seemingly more lonely road to walk takes faith and trust in the Lord.  We do not have to understand completely and see clearly the road ahead, rather, we must simply choose to follow the Lord.  “The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.” (Jn 6,64)  If we do not believe in the teaching of Jesus and trust in his love and truth then we will often choose another way.  Wisdom tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov 3,5f)  At the crossroads of faith and understanding, choose to believe.

    It is not an easy road to be a Catholic in our world today.  Many people will challenge you and question your faith.  Don’t be afraid to take the narrow road, for it leads to eternal life.  Believe.