“Taking conscious and special efforts ‘to step in Christ’s Footprints!’”

(Based on 1 Jn 3:7-10 and Jn 1:35-42 – Christmas Weekday)

There was a field covered with freshly fallen snow.

A father and a son entered that field.

As they walk across the field, the father just went, as normally, walking…
… without paying any particular attention to where he was going.

But his son, on the other hand, followed his father directly behind…
… making a special effort to step in his father’s footprints.

After the two had crossed the field, the son looked behind and tugged his father to look behind.
“Look there Father”, said the boy, “there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although both of us had walked across it!”

The father – who was known to be a very honest and gentle person – smiled and said:
“That’s so beautiful, my Child!
You have taken all the efforts to walk on my footprints!”

I wish and pray, that you also do that same, in life!”

The Father was inviting his son, to walk his path of Honesty and Gentleness…
… in his footprints!

This is the Christian way, also, isn’t it?

Walking the path of Christ…
… In His Footprints!

The Gospel of the Day presents the familiar yet fascinating incident of the First Disciples of Jesus following Him…

And how this First Following would lead them to “Walk the Path of Christ”…
… in His Footprints!

The passage begins by stating that “John (the Baptist) was standing with two of his disciples.

And as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.” (Jn 1: 35-37)

One of the very beautiful aspects that we find in this “call narrative”…
… is the fact of how the two disciples give heed to the word of John the Baptist.

And to further that call, they would give heed to the invitation of Jesus as well: “Come, and you will see.” (Jn 1: 39)…
… and they went and stayed with Him.

These two acts of obedience to the voice of John the Baptist and Jesus…
… would re-define their lives!
… would transform their future!

This act of obedience was a radical choice they made

Walking the path of Christ..
… In His Footprints!

They were probably not very sure what was coming ahead
They were mostly uncertain, of what would be the implications of “following Christ closely”

But they made a choice

And that choice would change their lives for ever!

As Christians, we are also constantly given this invitation

To walk in the path of Christ..
… In His Footprints!

This requires trust in Him

This demands obedience to His Voice

Very often, the voice of the world makes us to stray our paths

But Jesus says: “Follow my footprints” and remain firm in Him!

Very often, the comforts offered by the world, makes us lose our values

But Jesus says: “Follow my footprints” and be faithful to be my witness!

Very often, the hardships of life, makes us to be discouraged

But Jesus says: “Follow my footprints” and being focused on me, always be encouraged and hopeful!

Life often takes us through the “fields of snow”…
… the snow of sufferings
… the snow of uncertainty
… the snow of discouragement
… the snow of painful experiences

But let’s take conscious and special efforts “to step in Christ’s Footprints”…
So that after crossing “such fields of snow” we can say: “Look Lord, there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although both of us had walked across it!”

And we hearing the Lord, with much love, telling us: “That’s so beautiful, my Child!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
OBTAINING INDULGENCE FROM GOD THROUGH THE CHURCH

Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same communion of saints…

… one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted. (CCC # 1479)