Sacramental Life

On the Path to Heaven

Fr. Mark Moriarty

Pastor and Superintendent

In Scripture, Jesus is often seen as on the move, walking to some destination, mostly to Jerusalem. Many miracles and faith-filled encounters occur as Jesus is going somewhere. For example, Jesus is leaving Jericho when he stops for blind Bartimeaus who had been calling out for Jesus to have mercy on him. “Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mark 10:52)

We are all called to be “on the way” to holiness and heaven with and through Jesus. Sacred Processions remind us where our life’s journey should be directed and who will help us on that path. Last Fall our elementary students made a rosary procession around Saint Agnes Church and School. They publicly and beautifully gave witness to their love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and asked for her intercession so they could become more like her Son, Jesus.

During this past Catholic Schools’ Week, I had the tremendous honor of carrying our Eucharistic Lord from the church through a snowstorm into and throughout our school. Led by elementary altar boys who served as cross bearer, thurifer (incense), torch bearers and bell ringers, I brought Jesus into every room of our school. Jesus Himself blessed them where they spend so much of their day!
 

Every year the parish celebration of Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration begins at a school Mass. We process with our Lord around the inside of the church using the side aisles and back down the main to solemnly enthrone the monstrance on the high altar. This symbolizes that we follow Jesus who provides Himself as the living food (heavenly manna) to give us strength for the journey.  

We never need to be alone in our life’s journey. Jesus wants us to invite Him into our duties, joys, and trials. In this manner we can transform everything we do into something that helps us to imitate Jesus and to stay on the path to heaven.

“Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he [Jesus] spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)