A Journey of Faith

By: Rick Hernandez

While driving north on I-75 and putting distance between ourselves and Hurricane Ian, I understood how the Hebrews must have felt during their exodus, running away while the soldiers of Pharaoh gave chase. Our journeys are not exactly the same, but I could see two things they had in common: a lot of uncertainty and a lot of Grace.
 
For the Hebrews, there must have been so much happening at the moment as they moved forward without knowing their destination, yet driven by the desire to find that promised land of milk and honey. The people were afraid yet trusted in the One Who called them His people, Yahweh, God the Father. And the grace of the moment was palpable, the gifts given to them undeserved, yet given fully and without limit.
 
When they needed leadership, they were sent Moses, an exemplary leader with unshakeable faith. When they needed protection, a column of fire came down from Heaven to be their rearguard. When they were hungry, mana came to them as food. When they were thirsty, water flowed from rocks. How amazing was that? Grace is like that. Grace is tangible. You feel it; you know it is there.
 
When I think about the biblical Exodus, what amazes me more is not that the Hebrews were freed from Egypt but that they were guided to Canaan. The Hebrews did not know the promised land, yet they were guided there and given that holy land as their heritage. In a very real way, it was not an exodus but a journey of faith.
 
I also look at our little exodus from home as a journey of faith.
 
We are all on a journey, walking on our way somewhere, and we see that many are also walking with us. We find that there are so many brothers willing to lend a helping hand, just as many as the people who need our help. We learn, and we grow. While on this journey, we exercise what we know, and grow more confident of God’s way, that while we go, we also stay. We go on the journey, but we remain in Him.
 
God’s gift of Grace to us is undeserved yet given to us fully and without limitation. He sends people to share our burden and guides us to the correct location, where people let us stay without cost. Food and drink are shared. The Lord directed us to a safe place, nourished us, and strengthened our faith, hope, and love, so that we may, with His help, share with and guide forth our brethren. In a way, we become ourselves a little Moses.
 
The Lord says it clearly, “It is I” (Isaiah 43:25). We should believe Him. “See… the Lord will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail. Your people shall rebuild the ancient ruins; the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; ‘Repairer of the breach,’ they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined dwellings.” (Isaiah 58: 11-13)
 
Our short journey of faith is not nearly as epic as the biblical Exodus, but it needs not to be any less faithful and hopeful than that of Moses.
 
Let us pray: Lord, we thank you for your Grace, and for all your benefits. Helps us be faithful and hopeful. Do not let us be afraid. Help us keep our eyes open for your gifts and guidance so that we may recognize your hand in all things. We praise you for your glory. Amen.

Rick Hernandez

Common sense Catholic. Rick Hernandez is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and a Director for Elisheba House. He lives in Trinity, Florida, with his wife Ivonne and their children. He also writes for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflection and for Catholicmom.com.