Trail markers

A number of years ago, I was leading a group of high school students on a ski trip to the Swiss Alps. We arrived at the resort during a snow storm. Excited to be there and not wanting to miss the opportunity for skiing, we headed to the ski lift, which brought us up the mountain above the tree line and into the middle of the storm.

It was whiteout conditions and snowing heavily, as we set off down the mountain. It was snowing so heavily that it was disorienting and difficult to tell which way was down. We were able to make out faintly the outlines of trail markers on both sides of the very wide trails. It was by keeping between those markers that we were able to make our way safely down the mountain.

Those guides proved invaluable for our safe navigation of the mountain that day. As we enter into the season of Lent, it might be helpful for us to consider the guidelines important to us, as we navigate through our day-to-day life. Certainly we have the Ten Commandments and the teachings of the Church as guides to living a grace-filled life.

We have the example of good people, not only the saints, but also the very good people God has put into our life, who show us in many ways what it means to be a person of faith. Most importantly we have our relationship with Christ, who is our most valuable guide through the ups and downs of life. As we enter into this Lenten season, we give thanks for all the ways we are shepherded along the right path, and we pray especially for the grace to walk with Jesus on his way to resurrection and new life.