Which path are you taking?

By Steve Leininger

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041721.cfm
Acts 6:1-7
John 6:16-21

“Mountain weather” is the label we use to describe the wide range of weather patterns we have in out mountain community west of Colorado Springs. During the winter months, we can expect, and usually get, a small number of really deep snowfalls. This last March was one of those heavy snow events.

The snow started a little later than predicted (it’s weather, don’t you know) but when it finally got started, the snow began to pile up fast.  In a matter of a few hours, there was a foot and a half of snow on the ground. And it was still coming down. The snow was so deep that our dog could not push her dog door flap open to go outside and do her business. I bundled up, grabbed a snow shovel, and went around the back of the house to clear off her deck and stairs and a bit of the yard to make a place for her to “go”. 

It took some high stepping to get to the stairs. The snow was heavy with moisture, and my path to the backyard became a trail of deep holes in the snow. The dog thanked me for my efforts as the snow continued to fall.

A couple hours later, the snow was beginning to slow. But not before dropping another half foot plus of snow. I decided to clear the dog’s area one more time. The snow was over two feet deep now, and as I started to retrace my path to the back, I found that my previous footprints had been used by a deer crossing our property. I thought that was a bit odd, because the deer had to match my steps to take advantage of my trailblazing. It seems that the deer took the path of least resistance, at least for the short part of the shared journey.

That got me to thinking about paths, trails, and footsteps. 

The deer took the path of least resistance. Had it cut across our yard first, it might have been me using the deer’s tracks to make the trip to the backyard.

Sometimes people take the path of convenience. I remember when I was a student at Purdue University, there was an intricate network of sidewalks to get you from any place on campus to someplace else. The intention was to save the grass by having sufficiently interconnected concrete walkways. After the first month or so of the new school year, it was apparent that some destinations were more important than others, and paths would be worn into the finely manicured lawn where students took a shortcut from the sidewalk over here to the sidewalk over there. At some point, a concrete sidewalk was poured on these pathways of convenience, and the remaining grass thrived.

Animals are especially good at creating a path with a specific purpose. In Botswana, it seemed that all paths led to water. The animals would gather food, rest, and grow their families away from the river or watering holes, but would make the daily trip to get hydrated. The same route every day. Predictably, these paths were well worn and pretty much a straight line from where they spent their family time.

Hiking is a hugely popular outdoor activity here in Colorado. In order to accommodate a large number of visitors in our state and national parks and on designated trails, the path is actually designed and built. Several considerations are taken into account. Some recreational trails are intended for use by everyone, including those with limited mobility. The surface and slope of such a trail is carefully put together so that a wheelchair, baby stroller, or walker with limited range of motion can safely visit. Other trails are designed to make it possible to climb mountains. The goal would be to reach the top of a mountain from a parking lot or trail head. The trail design will include switchbacks which make the effort of gaining in altitude less strenuous by zig-zagging portions of the trail along the side of the mountain.

The Bible uses the path as a metaphor for life’s journey. 

In Psalm 119:105, the prayer states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

In Job 23:11, Job says “My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.”

Proverbs 21:16 assures us, “Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.”

Psalm 23 starts out with King David proclaiming, “The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.”

In the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, we are told: "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”  [Mark 1:2-3]

Although Mark attributes the prophecy to Isaiah, the text is a combination of Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3, and Exodus 23:20.

So, does all this path stuff have anything to do with today’s Gospel? I believe it does! The reading today is from the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John. For a bit of context, this happened in the third year of Jesus’ public ministry on the same day as the feeding the five thousand with the loaves and fish.

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.   [John 6:16-21]

You see, Jesus was creating his own path by walking on water. John’s version of this event is not as elaborate as that in Matthew 14:22-33, where Peter says “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter begins to successfully walk on water but starts to sink as his faith falters.

The apostles were afraid. They have seen Jesus perform miracles. They have heard the parables. They have been sent out to spread the good news. They just fed 5,000 people. But walking on water seemed too supernatural. Then Jesus does two things. His statement “It is I” is interpreted by some resources as “I am” This may reflect the divine revelatory formula of Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 41:4, 10, 14; 43:1–3, 10, 13. Mark implies the hidden identity of Jesus as Son of God. Jesus then assures those in the boat not to be afraid.

The chosen 12 are still having issues of faith. But they keep following the path that Jesus is preparing for them. 

What path will you be following today?