For several years a friend of mine kept a sailboat at the St. Petersburg municipal marina.  He was retired and liked to go sailing several times a week.  Often, he invited me for a day’s sailing trip. 

On one of our outings, we intended to follow the channel toward the Skyway bridge.  When we left the protected waters of the marina and turned south, I noticed that the boat seemed to come to a standstill.  There was enough wind to fill the sails, but the boat was making no way. It was a disorienting experience. I took several sightings of landmarks and realized that the incoming tide was nullifying the force of the wind on the boat’s sails. It was one of those rare moments on Tampa Bay when the boat was not going to be able to make way without the help of the auxiliary engine. 

Today’s Gospel reading offers a perspective on the life of faith that is remarkably similar to the experience of navigating a sailboat or making a journey. In the Gospel reading, the two disciples who encountered Jesus on the way to Emmaus had returned to Jerusalem and recounted to the assembly of disciples how they came to recognize the Risen Jesus. (Lk 24:35)  While they were speaking, Jesus appeared to the whole group and commissioned them to give their testimony to the whole world. (Lk 24:47-48) 

This Gospel passage begins and ends with a reference to a central idea in Luke and Acts.  The author of Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles often refers to “the way.”  In today’s passage, the author wrote, “The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way.” (Lk 24:35)  Later in the passage, the author alluded to “the way” when he described the mission of the Church as beginning in Jerusalem and continuing to the whole world along the Roman road system. 

The word translated as “the way” in Luke and Acts can be translated as “the path” or “the road,” as well.  In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry by traveling on “the way” that led to his crucifixion in Jerusalem.  In the Acts of the Apostles, the Church travels on “the way” that leads to preaching the Gospel to the world.  In Luke and Acts, “the way” is a literary device that conveys a theological truth about faith, namely, that God leads us by faith and, therefore, we are obliged to follow. 

Following “the way” of Jesus is identical to using any form of travel or transportation.  One needs to keep in mind both the destination and the waymarks that indicate the route to the destination.  According to Luke and Acts, the destination of our “way” is serving as witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. (Lk 24:48)  The route we are to follow is marked by the signs of the ever-expanding mission of the Church in the world. (Lk 24:47) 

It’s easy enough to discern the path of discipleship; there are numerous signs that indicate whether one is on the path or not. One’s participation in parish activities and ministries is an accurate indicator. Another accurate indicator of following the path of discipleship is one’s support of charitable organizations like FEAST Food Pantry, the Kimberly Home, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

A very effective means of finding one’s way on the path of discipleship is the examination of conscience. There used to be a tradition in Catholicism of doing an examination of conscience at the end of one’s day, but the time of day matters much less than keeping the habit as a daily practice. A good examination of conscience reviews the previous twenty-four hours to identify when one felt close to God and when one felt distant from God. Those experiences of closeness are indications that one should continue the activity or pattern of thought that led to the experience. The experience of distance from God is almost always an indication for some sort of change of behavior or thought. 

Ignatius of Loyola formulated a simple examination of conscience that serves well to help one along the path of discipleship. Ignatius said first, remind oneself of God’s presence and then, review the day’s events in a spirit of gratitude, paying attention to the events that were uplifting and those that were burdensome. Then, choose one event from the day and pray about it, asking God’s help and guidance for tomorrow. 

It is God’s intention that each day of our lives expands the Church’s mission to give witness to Jesus’ resurrection. When one makes progress along the way of discipleship, the progress is clearly evident. When one is making no progress, or insufficient progress, there are indicators that can help. 

In every disciple’s life, there will be times that one feels stalled or disoriented; these are much like being delayed or diverted in one’s travels. Fortunately, Jesus’ teachings both indicate the nature of the problem as well as its solution. Those who are making progress on the path of discipleship experience the presence and strength of God’s Holy Spirit; this experience of strength allows progress to continue. Those who are stuck, lost, or confused experience distance from the strength that God offers. This experience is always uncomfortable but always helpful; it is an indication of the need for repentance in order that one may make progress on the way.