“Companionship is also one of the greatest blessings we receive when we receive the precious Body and Blood.”
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, while he was president, was one day traveling with a group of companions on horseback across the countryside. At one point they came to a swollen river that had washed away the bridge. Each rider was forced to ford the river on horseback fighting against the current and the rushing rapids. It was truly a life threatening situation.
Another traveler, who was on foot and not part of Jefferson’s group stood aside and watched as each rider made the dangerous trip across the river. After several riders had successfully made the crossing, the stranger asked President Jefferson if he would ferry him across. Jefferson agreed without hesitation. The man climbed on to Jefferson’s horse and in a few moments they were both safely on the other side.
As the stranger slid off and on to dry ground one of the other men asked him, “Tell me, why did you select the president to ask this favor of?” The man was shocked and admitted he had no idea that it was the president who had helped him.
“All I know,” he said, “is that on some of your faces was written the answer ‘No.’ and on some of your faces was written the answer ‘Yes.’ His was a ‘Yes’ face.”
Even the most optimistic among us know that we will have problems in life. Difficulties, hardships, sickness, and family troubles are realities of our existence. Yet we know instinctually that these troubles serve to make us strong. Even the nihilist philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche understood this when he famously wrote “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” (Twilight of the Idols, 1889)
There is something in our nature that draws strength from adversity, as long as we know we are not going it alone.
When we know that we have companions, we can do amazing things, and ultimately we do not mind the pain or the suffering. Even our greatest fear, death, is perhaps not so much a fear of dying, as it is a fear of dying alone.
Christ is our rock, our foundation, our high tower. He is our refuge in the storms of life, but He is also our friend.
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
What does it mean to have Jesus as a friend? Perhaps the defining hallmark of a friend is one who stands by you when everyone else has abandoned you. A Christian is never truly alone if he has a friendship with God. And that works both ways. Jesus is our friend, He will never abandon us, can we say the same? Do we stand by our friend when the world seems to abandon Him?
Babe Ruth
One of the greatest baseball players of all time was Babe Ruth. The power in his swing was the stuff of legend. He was a big man for his time at 6’2” and 215 pounds. And he was adored by his fans.
Ruth was a national celebrity with fans that crossed generations. But eventually age took its toll and as his prowess began to fade so did his popularity. In 1935 the New York Yankees traded Ruth to the Boston Braves.
In one of his last games against the Cincinnati Reds, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several errors, allowing the Reds to score five runs in one inning. As the Babe walked to the dugout we can imagine his disappointment in himself. It was only exacerbated by the crowd. Boos, and catcalls, and even shaking fists accompanied him on that lonely walk. But then a young boy jumped over the railing and ran out to the great athlete. The boy had tears in his eyes as he flung his arms around the Babe and held on tight. Babe Ruth picked up the boy, hugged him, and set him down again. He patted the boy on the boy on the head, and then together, hand in hand, they walked off the field.
In his final year with the Boston Braves, Babe Ruth hit 3 home runs in one game, bringing his career total to 714, a record that would stand for 74 years before it was broken by Hank Aaron.
Simple companionship is one of the greatest gifts we can give to each other.
Companionship is also one of the greatest blessings we receive when we receive the precious Body and Blood. The bread from heaven is not only nourishment for the journey but it is also God’s promise that He will be with us always.
We know that God does not step in to make everything right for us. Jesus told us that we would still have trials. But to help us bear these trials He offers us companionship, he offers to carry our problems with us. On the face of Jesus is written the word “Yes.”
Our God is a God of presence. He did not desert Elijah, He will not desert us, he is there to help us bear the pain.
There are many ways for us to model Christ for each other, even simple companionship. There is always someone we can call, someone we can visit. There is always someone who needs to know they are not alone. There is always someone who needs to see in us the strength and confidence we have in God. There is always someone who needs to see the word “Yes” written on our face.
Pax Vobiscum
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time