In the Voice of Moreau: How do we know the way in life? In a world with so many apparent options and with souls that have so many various desires, it can very difficult to say that we know anything! Yet, there is a trustworthy method of discernment, classically called the “apophatic way” or the “via negativa:” We learn to close the doors to those apparent and various options, all of them, and we gradually arrive where we are supposed to be, a place of total security and peace where we finally feel like children of God. The trade-off, however, is that we must surrender control and become comfortable with walking in the dark. We unlearn our old ways, and knowing turns into a kind of not-knowing. This is the certainty of the Cross! Our Lord spent years preparing for his mission in Nazareth. Once that door was closed, he traveled throughout Galilee in his public ministry. Once that door was closed, he entered Jerusalem and then to Golgotha and then, when every door had been shut, including the stone on the tomb, true life was revealed. The Cross is the doorway par excellence, and the crucified one is the Way. Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Holy Cross Educator’s Response: All educators open doors to countless opportunities for students. The most essential of these doors for CSC educators is that which leads to the Way, the Truth, the Life! Today, there is so much uncertainty when it comes to finding one’s way. Although there has never been a time when personal success is guaranteed if one travels this way or that, today, young people feel much stress when it comes to college choices that will lead to a satisfying and prosperous future. College majors are changed sometimes three times prior to graduation. Once a job is secured, a person can be moved hither and yon many times prior to the age of 40. Setting down strong roots is not easy today. Have I chosen the right way for myself and family? Perhaps, for this secular world, the best advice that a teacher can give to the young is adapt or die. For the next world, however, the best advice for all of us is to focus outward by doing many acts of service for the many who suffer “the slings and arrows” of poverty, physical, psychological and spiritual deprivation. As doors are closed upon this and that, keep the doorway par excellence open, responding to Jesus’ words: whenever you do anything for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done such for me. Through daily sacrifices, small and great, we each crucify ourselves with golden nails to our Lord’s Cross. All students, everyone, no matter the age, need to hear this message frequently. Ave Crux Spes Unica!
Voice of Moreau 