To Whom Can We Go?
by Frank Fisher, Obl. OSB

Today,
you're going to enter
the hush of your quiet place
and meet Jesus
in your imagination.

Make yourself comfortable
in your seat.

Close your eyes
and relax.
You'll be breathing deeply,
and relaxing
your whole body.
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Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.
Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.
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Relax your feet
and ankles.
Keep breathing in deeply,
hold it,
and breathe  out slowly.
Let your hips relax,
and then your stomach muscles
and your chest.

Allow your shoulders
to become heavy.
Let all your tension
simply drain away
Let your arms and fingers
become limp.
Let your neck sag,
and relax your face,
your forehead,
and even your eye lids.

Keep breathing in and out
 deeply
and slowly.

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In your mind
you see yourself
in a fishing boat
crossing the sea of Galilee.
Its's a wonderful day.
The warm sun
is beating down on your head.
Puffy white clouds
float above you
in a beautiful blue sky.
Every few seconds
waves
pass under your boat
and gently lift it
into the air.

Yes, the day is perfect.
But while you enjoy
the beauty surrounding you
your attention is focused
on the lakeshore. 
You're nearing the shore now.
You hear the grinding
of the keel
against the sand
as the fishermen
pull the boat
up onto the beach.

All around you
you see many other boats
being pulled onto the shore.
Everyone on the boats
is jumping onto the beach,
and you jump over
the rail
to join them.
As your feet
touch the beach,
and begin to follow
the crowd,
you feel the wet sand
sliding
over your feet.

You hear
those at the front of the crowd
shouting excitedly.
You see them point
 toward the town 
of Capernaum
that lies
just ahead of you.

"He's there in the synagogue,"
you hear someone shout.

Your heart starts beating faster
as you join the crowd
in racing toward
the synagogue.
Your excitement
grows
as you slow
and you pass through 
the synagogue's door.
There's a man
just ahead of you.
Several people
are sitting at his feet.
At last
you've found the man
you were seeking.
Its Jesus!


You join the crowd
as you all
sit in front of Jesus.
Somehow
you've found yourself
in the very front 
and you're sitting
directly
at Jesus' feet.
You look up
and 
you find him
staring straight
into your eyes.

"Did you just
come here
to get more bread?"
Jesus asks you.
"Don't work for the bread
that perishes.
Work instead
for the bread
I give you,
the bread that will endure
to eternal life."

Jesus is obviously waiting
for you to respond.
And you open your mouth
and stammer,
"tell me more
about this bread,
Lord.
How do I find it?"


"You have found it," 
Jesus answers.
"Those who eat my flesh
and drink my blood
dwell in me,
and I in them.
The Creator
sent me.
I live
because of the Creator.
In the same way
who ever eats
the bread of my body
will live
because of me!
I am the bread
that came down from heaven.
If you eat this bread
you will live forever."

You struggle
to completely understand
what Jesus has told you.
"This is hard,"
you say to him.
"Help me to understand."

"Look at it this way,"
Jesus replies
"What is
at the very center
of your life?
What are the things
you live for?"


You continue
to stare into Jesus' face.
His eyes are warm,
and you can feel 
his love and concern for you.

Concentrate
on the look in Jesus' eyes
as you answer his questions.
Tell Jesus
about the things
you live for;
the things 
most important
to you;
the things
at the very center
of your life.


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Jesus listens intently
as you speak.
When you've finished
he asks you
more questions.
"Are the things
at the center
of your life,
life giving?
Do they enrich you
or hurt you?"

You again
sink into the love
radiating out from Jesus
and look into his eyes
as you answer him.

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As he continues
to gaze intently at you,
Jesus asks you
one final question.
"Do you choose to go
to these other things
in your life
or do you choose
to go to me?"

Look in Jesus' face
as you answer
his question.

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As you continue
to look at Jesus
you hear
someone else in the crowd 
answer aloud.
"Lord,
to whom can we go?
You have the words
of eternal life.:

You know your time
with Jesus
will soon end.
Take this chance
to look deeply
on Jesus' face
as you tell him
of anything else
you want him to hear.

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Jesus places his hand
on your head
and offers you a blessing.
Then he turns, 
and you see him 
walking out of the synagogue. 

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Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.

Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.

Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.

Breathe in slowly,
and hold it.
Breathe out slowly.

When you are ready,
you may open your eyes.

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If you were able to imagine
an encounter
with Jesus today,
I invite you to believe
the encounter
was very real.
And I ask you
to remember
your conversation
with him.
Remember
your words to him
about the things
most important
in your life.
Remember
your choice
of the One
to whom we can go.

To God alone be glory.
Amen.

(Comments to Frank at f.fisher.obl.osb@comcast.net.)