When have you faltered or looked back during your journey of faith?
by Mary Sellars MalloyI almost always have a song in my mind and heart, and today I just can’t help but sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.” (Source unknown)
Maybe we need to live a few years before we can understand the truth of that song, or maybe we need to come through a hard time or two. What I know, the more I walk the road of discipleship, is that Jesus’ call is to keep moving forward; to daily pick up the cross—whatever that may be in our lives—and to keep following him as he leads us forward to the heavenly kingdom.
The second verse of the song, “The cross before me, the world behind me. The cross before me, the world behind me. The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back. No turning back.”
The world behind me—the poor choices I’ve made, the words I spoke in anger, the opportunities to serve that I ignored, the relationships I’ve bruised by my actions, the sins of my past—behind me as I look to the Cross of Christ and realize that his suffering and Death have freed me, and in his Resurrection is hope and confidence that one day I will live forever with him in Heaven.
If you find yourself faltering, doubting, and looking back today, spend a few minutes with Jesus. Put the world behind you by confessing your fears, doubts, and sins of the past to him. Better yet, if possible, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Then face forward, and set your gaze on the one who says to us today, “Follow me.”
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on the topics of prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. In addition, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.
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