By Alex J. Nagem © September 10, 2016
March 11, 2025
It is still dark outside as I make my way to my car. The early morning air is heavy with moisture. The temperature at 5:30 am is around 70 degrees. I would like it a little cooler, but I can’t adjust the thermostat outside. The drive is a quick one to Wheeling Jesuit University. By this time, the field lights are on and the rugby team is starting its practice. I park my car near the field. This gives me a moment to watch the players and remember what it was like to be in my late teens and early twenties. A chill overcomes me. Not sure if I want to do that one again. The earplugs are in place. The music of Scala and Kolacny Brothers is playing on Pandora. The early morning walk through the campus begins.
I like this time alone on the campus. There is enough light from the buildings and the field to allow me to see my way for the next two and a half or more miles I will walk this morning. Though the music is resonating in my ears my thoughts bounce from prayer, to questions of faith, to family, to what jobs need to be completed today in the Chancery. This particular morning my thoughts were focused on the paths we all take. As I pass a few students on their way to the gym or the field for practice, some give an early morning greeting and others seem unaware of me. They are focused more on the direction they are headed. I wonder what paths in life each will take. The first sidewalk I take climbs across the campus. The ascent allows my lungs which have fully recovered from my bought with pneumonia early in the year to easily fill with fresh air. I reach the top of the walk near Ignatius Hall without taxing my breathing. I will try to maintain a 12 to 13-minute-per-mile pace for forty-five minutes or so. Did you know that in a minute’s time, you can say six “Hail Mary” prayers? Though my thoughts are many, certain sections of my campus walk direct my thoughts to prayer. There are some sections of the campus where the lighting is dim. There is more darkness than light. This reminds me of the times when we stray from faith. We continue to walk through life with some sense of direction, but we can easily fall or stumble without proper light. This is the time when prayer once again takes over my thoughts. I pray for my direction and that of others. Maybe the prayer comes from me being thankful that I walked another hill at a brisk pace for an old guy. The prayers could come from fear of the dark and the unknown. As I walk the back lot, I stay focused on the light ahead of me. During our darkest days, shouldn’t we still stay focused on what Christ has promised us? The light from buildings comes soon enough. Each step brings me closer. Soon I am on the main road and heading toward the bright lights of the field. It is downhill from here. But this is just one lap of the walk. There are many laps to come. Each lap is a trial. Can I keep up the pace I want? Will I not stumble or fall from aging leg muscles climbing hills and stairs? Will my thoughts remain focused on prayer and not dwell on injustices? Each lap is a portion of time in life. How well will each lap be handled? Another lap can be made, but not repeated for change or correction. Once that step is made it is left in time. It cannot be erased. Each injustice we make will leave its mark. We may continue on our way, but the injustice, pain, and hurt caused remain. We can ask for forgiveness or grant forgiveness. Either one, the mark has been left. As I continue my early morning walk, I am continually in darkness, light, and dim light. I am climbing hills and steps. There are times of walking downhill and stairs. These are easy times, but also ones where I could stumble and fall if not cautious. Shouldn’t we always stay vigilant as we do in darkness? “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. All power is his forever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5: 6-11)
The laps around and through the campus continue. I repeatedly walk through the light into the darkness and return to the light. Each group of steps brings new thoughts, more prayer, and a sense of betterment. The mind becomes clear with fresh air in the lungs. Each hill and stair climbed becomes easier with prayer and a focus on Christ. Thoughts and worries about the world around us, the world we created for ourselves, leave the mind unaware of the placement of steps or dips in the road. I can easily stumble and fall in the dark or the light. Focusing on prayer allows each step to be carefully placed. I became aware of the areas that are slippery or the hazardous potholes in the road. The fear of darkness is short-lived with thoughts of Christ being with me, who protects me. Even an aging body and mind can stay strong with thoughts of Christ and his promises of light everlasting. My miles have been walked. The pace was maintained. The shedding of excess weight has been achieved for another day. The rugby team is still practicing. They are learning how to work together to achieve a goal. I wonder if they focus on Christ as much as they focus on the football. I hope so. I have included them in my prayers, too. With the final steps to my car, my legs and lungs are refreshed. My mind is clear. My body is damp, but not tired. I feel the beads of sweat running down my face. My T-shirt is wet, clinging to my chest. Could this walk in prayer be another baptism in faith? I hope it is.
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21
You and your family are remembered in my daily prayers as I hope my family and I are remembered in yours.
“Vocatus Atque non Vocatus, Deus Aderit”
September 10, 2016