Introduction

     The title of this compendium - "Reflections on the Way" - has at least three meanings:

     First,  Jesus spoke of Himself as "The Way": "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". John 14:6 

     Secondly, Christianity in the early Church was simply called "the Way" as in the Acts of the Apostles 9:2 describing Paul's - then called Saul - persecution of the Way and asking for letters to the synagogues in Damascus "so that if he found anyone belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem".

    Thirdly, my own journey to belief, discipleship, transformation on the Way to the Goal of Holiness and Eternal Life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...so many lessons learned and still more to come and a "ways" to go. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who

find it." Matthew 7:14

    To these, my hope is that your journey-Way- is helped or even begun through these reflections. Be forewarned, though, Jesus has been described as the "Hound of Heaven" - the One who Loves you Passionately - and He will not stop seeking you...offering a new life...knocking on the door of your heart...so, if you do not know Him...His Love...I strongly suggest you open that door and let Him "make all things new". But, my sense is that if you are reading.. praying...this book, you are already "on the way" and, so, His Word to you is that "there is MORE"…so, "Ask and you shall receive; Seek and you

shall find; Knock and the door shall be opened"!

These reflections are organized into 5 aspects / topics of the Way: 

 

EVANGELISM - One's own search for a personal relationship with Jesus and Abba in the Power of the Holy Spirit and how to help others in their search. "Who do YOU say I am?" Mark 8:29

SPIRITUAL LIFE - Growing "in the Way of the Lord"...eg. learning to "hear" His Voice, discernment, holiness, discipleship, spiritual warfare, service and summarized in "Loving Him above all and loving one another as He loved us".

SUFFERING - Can't get around it...a mystery...how to understand its place in our lives...how to deal with it...and, how to do as Jesus said: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up your cross, and follow me". Mark 8:34

MORALITY - Making difficult decisions as to living out our relationship with Jesus despite having a wounded nature in a fallen world ruled by our eternal enemy who knows our weakness and wants our destruction. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15

TRINITY AND MOTHER MARY - Relationships that transform us into saints.

 A few more points:

     There are some questions at the end of each reflection. The purpose is to help you gain the most out of each one and lead you into prayer ie. telling the Lord what's on your heart - the good and not so good - and listening for His response. Discussing with others can be very helpful for both learning and support on your Way. One benefit in the organization of this book is that you don't have to read the 

entire book - or even an entire chapter - to 'get something out of it'. All it takes is one 'reflection'!

     A few thoughts on Prophecy and 'private revelation' ie. my sense of what the Father... Abba / Jesus is saying to me and, by way of application, to you as well. As we grow in our Relationship with Jesus and Abba, we also grow in "hearing" His word to us in prayer. Discernment is the key with any Prophetic word. Does it comply with Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Catechism of the Catholic Church? And, lastly, presenting what we "hear / sense" to someone mature in the Faith, eg. our Spiritual Director, so we have confirmation / discernment outside of ourselves as to what is or is not from the Lord. Then we can ask Abba / Jesus how this word may apply to us and the Grace to put it into practice. "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you" Matthew 7:7-8

    Lastly, "Revival" is at the heart of this book even if it is not explicitly mentioned. How great is the need for Revival in the Church today as well as in the nations of the world! I pray that the Father through Jesus by the Power of the Holy Spirit stir the hearts and minds of all who read / pray even

one of these reflections! Come Holy Spirit! Move among us! Bring Revival! Change our hearts / minds! Give us the Grace to "Repent and Believe the Good News". Jesus is coming soon! All Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...Now and Forever!

And so, one more time: There is MORE...GO AFTER IT!