Meditations – January 9, 2008

Posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008

Scripture: Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me, and your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Prayer: In reading the Pope’s encyclical

Spe Salvi, this line caught my attention as did the reference to the scripture above: one who walks with me on the path of final solitude. Lord, help me to become increasingly aware of your presence in my life, walking with me on this path of final solitude. And help me to draw increasing comfort from this realization.

Response: Let me speak about final solitude. This is an increasingly comforting time when you realize that your walk is with me. The footsteps you hear are mine and the closeness of those footsteps is to comfort you further. This path to final solitude is a time present for all of you to be totally conscious of the meaning, your meaning. It is not a time of panic, regret, or sorrow; rather it is time for you to accept yourself as you are and are becoming and to offer this soul to me in all humility.   As I have said, this path is one of increasing consciousness; it is a time of letting go of all pretenses – all pretenses. It is a time to risk honesty with yourself, if not with others if you can be so without causing harm to others.

The valley of death represents all that you fear, and should fear, but fully accepting and believing that I am with you. It is like traversing a desert path toward an oasis that you have been told is before you. Trusting my word you continue carefully, rationing your water and your energy, but you continue forward, not allowing the temptation to cut to the left or right, or even return; you move forward keeping your eyes on the horizon. And yes, I do suggest that you travel at night when the sun is not so intense, so consider the meaning of traveling in the dark, in the quiet. Know I am the star that you are following and I will lead you through the valley of death while your enemy sleeps, covered in thick blankets so as not to hear your footfall.

All for this morning.

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