Follow Christ, who is 'The Way'

Our life is a journey from conception to birth and eventually to death, but are we on “The Way”?

In John 14:6, Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” Jesus calls himself the way. This tells us that the correct journey is through him, with him and in him. He tells us that he is the only way that will lead to the Father.

If you are ultimately with the Father, mission accomplished, you are in heaven.

To illustrate this, the Scripture of the Road to Emmaus comes to mind (Luke 24:13-35). Two disciples extremely sad after the crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ walk to Emmaus, and Jesus joins them, although they don’t realize it at first.

This further reminds us of the passage of  Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The Road to Emmaus passage continues on and explains that Jesus on the way spoke to them about how Christ had to die and how Scripture spoke about Jesus.

Today, we see guidance through the foundation of faith within the church. This means that Jesus has left “the way” to salvation through Scripture, and the church explains to us when we don’t have a clear direction.

The church is here to nurture us by answering all our questions of faith and getting rid of all doubts. We can simply have a conversation with our local priest or open a book, say about St. Thomas Aquinas, for example.

The two disciples on the way could very well be substituted by a family. We can change the disciples for a mother and a father plus the kids all on the way. We could start off our journey sad without Jesus – but by joining the body of Christ through baptism – we start on the way. And, on the way, the family would receive the sacraments.

Toward the end of the Road to Emmaus passage, it tells us that Jesus sits down to eat with the disciples. Jesus breaks bread and then disappears. At that point, they know it’s him – God himself.

This part of the passage is similar to Holy Thursday that had occurred just a few days before: Jesus sits at the table and breaks bread. This, to me, emphasizes the importance of attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist. As parents, we should bring our families to weekly Mass.

Continuing with the idea of a solid Christian faith, reading sacred Scripture and church doctrine as a family is important. Take time at home to open the Bible and read it. Ask questions and answer them the best you can.

The disciples on the way to Emmaus say, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us?” They experienced the joy of being with Christ. To me, this is proof that this is the way of Jesus all our hearts desire. Jesus is showing us that this is the best way to go through life. With all sorrows and suffering, I know this is the way I can get through with joy and a burning in my heart.

As Christians, we understand that to get to eternal life we need a path, direction, a foundation and assistance.

“I am ‘The Way,’” Jesus said. Together as a family, we can take this journey in Christ. He is here, right now in our church, ready to take us on his way. 1 Peter 1:9, “As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.”

Greg Zambrano was born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Florida. After serving in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force for a total of 10 years, he became a stay-at-home father. He and his wife have been married for 19 years and have two daughters who attend Catholic school. They enjoy going to nearby parks and playgrounds, especially when the weather cools down. Also, as a family, they enjoy going to the movies, eating at restaurants and attending Mass on Saturday at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Shrine on State Street.