Page 154 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

Jesus is the way, and when we approach him, he helps us on the way. But which path,
exactly? By the path of prayer, we can open ourselves to the grace of God. No matter who
we are or where we are, we are called to a way of service. We are always called to love, we
are always called to a love that is concrete and shows itself in service to those around
us. Even if tomorrow is unknown and we are afraid, today, we are called to pray and to
love, here and now. Even if we are preoccupied with concerns that are legitimate, maybe
incomprehensible but apparently unavoidable, we cannot allow these concerns to take
over our life or distract us from prayer, service, and attentiveness to the presence of the
other.

Service is a humanizing path. It is a path of humanity. Service is a way through which we
can grow. Even when we do not know what tomorrow will bring, what gives meaning to
what we are living today is prayer and service, service to others, whether in our families
or in society as a whole, doing our best with the means at our disposal.

Jesus is the light. And light is important. In the night, when there is no light, what do we
do? We do not move, we must stay put, we cannot take a single step.

But even a little bit of light helps us to move forward. A light in the night, no matter how
small, even if much darkness remains, lets us begin the way. Jesus is the light that gets
us on the way. Jesus is the light that tells us that it is worth living, it is worth loving, it is
worth advancing, it is worth moving forward.

Jesus is the Light that enlightens us in our personal, family, social, and religious lives.
Let us seek together the Light of the Lord to be guided by the Lord. Seek the Spirit who
guides us on the path of the Lord, who is the light, who is the truth, who is the light.

Jesus is the life, he is also a life. He is the source of life. Lord Jesus is not just one life
among others. He is The Life itself, with a capital T and a capital L. He is the life that gives
life.

In different ways throughout the Gospels, he says: “I live by the Father. As I live by the
Father, you live by me.”

Jesus invites us to live by him. He is the source of our life because he is the way, the truth
and the life. It is he who guides us, he gives us live and protects us. He guards our soul, our
heart, and our generosity.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 154