“WHEN WE WALK WITH JESUS, WE NEVER WALK ALONE.”

Today we talk about loneliness, that sense of something... or someone missing, in common to all men and women at times, but especially as we get older.  It can become a real problem for the elderly.  Some examples:

• A death in the family.  After years of marriage and companionship, a woman finds herself alone at age 66...and loneliness steps in.
• Long-term travel away from home.  A young executive has to uproot himself because of work and must begin a new life in a new environment.  He feels alone.
• Isolation caused by illness.  You can’t get around anymore due to a stroke.  Loneliness sets in.
• Failure.  A turn of events has cut you away from all.  Loss of a job; a divorce.  You feel alone.

• Volunteer for others.  Feed people; drive for people; go shopping for someone; write notes for someone.  Help in a hospital or in a soup kitchen.  Reach Out!  it’s the best medicine.
• Keep a schedule.  We would smile in the seminary when someone would say: “if you want to kill a monk, take away his schedule”.  There is much truth in that.  A schedule gives direction to our lives; it gives purpose.  An hour to arise; an hour to retire; hours for meals; a schedule of worship and prayer; a schedule of exercise; a schedule for social life.  It is not that we should be tied down to it as soldiers; but rather that we see it as a stairway, leading us to personal and spiritual accomplishment and satisfaction...day by day, leading us on like a beautiful candle.
• Live for tomorrow.  Keep your world before you.  How we thrive on tomorrow: a trip to New York; a dinner with friends; a coming wedding feast; all happy events of tomorrow.  Plan them. Create them.  Live them in anticipation.
• Walk with God.  We walk with Jesus and we find spiritual peace; and spiritual peace is the result of having no serious sin, no mortal sin, on our conscience.  It is then that we walk with the Lord.  Each day becomes a joy of experience.  Each week, when we meet in church, we recite the “Our Father”.  And then we proclaim:”...as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ!”  This anticipation brings us companionship.  We sing the song:”I’ll walk with God from this day on.”  When we walk with Jesus, our hearts may be broken - or bleeding  - or hurting...but WE NEVER WALK ALONE.