Rock Climbing and Renewed Hope

I wheeled the minivan into the parking lot, thankful for a few extra minutes to shuttle my sons into the venue. Their hesitant faces peered out as the sliding door opened. A few weeks before I’d enrolled them in rock climbing classes; now it was time, and ‘thrilled’ was not the word to describe their countenances that morning.

It had been years since I was up on the wall. I was sure the same opportunity to tangibly face fears and overcome challenges I had experienced in climbing would benefit them also. Not only would it consume energy, but they'd have to confront doubt and push past it.

As someone who shies away from heights and prefers the contentment of feeling safe, I thought back on my first time climbing. I had reached for a grip just out of my hand’s range, slipped and caught myself, sliding and falling. I knew even as I doubted, I still needed to see it was possible to climb higher and move through those fears.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 7:18B-23), John the Baptist sends two of his followers to ask Jesus if He was Who says He is. Perhaps they had doubts necessitating reaffirmation. Maybe they just wanted the answer: Was Jesus Who they’d been looking for?

At times we need those reminders. Our Savior’s response to those men in its most basic form was: What have you seen and heard? What has your experience been?

In my mind I can recollect what I believe, reading in Holy Scripture and the Catechism about the truths of our Faith. But we are women in physical bodies and sometimes, we need tangible nudges, too.

This year has challenged me as I’ve experienced the loss of many physical connections; most likely many of you have as well. But I have seen and heard Him. I’ve witnessed love through friends who’ve delivered dinner on my doorstep, felt the care of my children through their sweet hugs, and seen people rise up to serve their hurting neighbors.

Jesus is still present among us. The Church is alive. Recall what you have seen and heard, and have hope.

Jesus is still present among us. // Sarah Ortiz Click to tweet

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Sit with Our Lord today in Adoration and ask Him to help bring your hopes alive, again.