Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

• 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 or Wisdom 3:1-9 or Job 19:1, 23-27
• Revelation 14:13 or Philippians 3:20-21 or 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
• John 14:1-6 or 11:17-27 or 6:37-40

 Peter was home this weekend from the University.  How great it was when Peter was home from college and able to bring a new dynamic and insights into things!  The tuition money was certainly paying off! 

This Sunday morning, the family got up to see that Peter was already wide awake and poring over maps in the living room.  A college student up early on a school break?  This must be something REALLY important!

“What’cha doing, Peter?” little Lucy was the first to ask him.  Then, with a giggle, she said, “Have you EVER gotten up before me?”

Peter had to laugh.  “Well, you see, Lucy, I’m studying these maps for a trip I am taking.  A group of buddies and I are going to help out some poorer families during our winter break.  I was just trying to plan our driving route to get from here to there!”

Dad came into the room.  He looked at the huge mess of maps Peter had scattered across the floor.  Roads and highways were highlighted everywhere!  “It doesn’t look like there is an easy way to get there, Peter!” he commented.  “Maybe I can help you figure it out after we do our Gospel reading for this morning!”

Dad called the rest of the family into the living room.  Peter helped push aside most of his maps to make room.  Today was the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.  Dad slowly read the passage where Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.”  (John 11:25a – See also John 14:6a.)

“Daddy,” little Lucy began, sounding a little troubled, “doesn’t this Gospel talk about dying and people leaving us?”

“That certainly is part of it, Lucy,” her Dad said.  “Losing someone can be troubling for those of us left here on earth.”  Then, in an assuring voice, he added, “But that’s only the beginning of their glorious, eternal life!”

“That’s right,” Mrs. Pauline told her.  “We have another home in heaven, and this Gospel reading tells us that if we believe in Jesus and take His hand, He will lead us there!”

“He’s the ultimate guide!” Vincent piped in.  Then, he ran to the edge of the living room, picked up one of Peter’s maps, and waved it high in the air.  “Jesus can take us from here to heaven better than any map!”

Dad had to laugh.  How great of Vincent to bring together Jesus and the scattered maps on the floor.  Jesus was indeed the chief guide to life’s “ultimate trip!”

Peter now continued with some similarities of his own.  “You see, Lucy,” he said, as he took out the big USA road map, “let’s say that all of mankind starts their trip out here, at the ‘Big Apple.’ “  Peter pointed to New York City.  “For the sake of demonstration, we’ll start at New York City, often called the ‘Big Apple,’ as the place where Adam and Eve started the human journey towards heaven. 

Lucy and all the other Pauline kids were right there, intently watching and listening as Peter continued.  “Well, Jesus takes us through all these highways, roads, mountains, and valleys on our journey to eternal life!”

Peter was pointing at the map and then stopped.  “Even if we go off on a wrong road, Jesus can help us get back on the right path, can’t He?”

“When we go to confession!” Vincent exclaimed.

“Right you are, Buddy!” Peter said to his brother.  “So, Jesus keeps walking with us until we get here!”  Peter pointed right to Los Angeles.

“Now, Los Angeles is translated the ‘City of Angels’ in Spanish,” Peter went on, as he pointed to the western side of the map.  “For our demonstration again, we can say that the ‘City of Angels’ is where we all want to spend eternal life.

“In heaven with Jesus!” Lucy proclaimed.

“That’s right!” Mom answered.  “Jesus says very clearly, in the Gospels, that, ‘I am the resurrection,’ (John 11:25)  and that, ‘I am the way … and the life!’ ”  (John 14:6a)

“Our path to our eternal home is clear,” Dad said.  “It is to walk with Jesus and let Him guide us there.”

“And this is what the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed seeks to remind us of today,” Mom told them.  “Those who faithfully went before us to heaven know in their eternal souls that Jesus is THE WAY and the ONLY WAY!”

“And, I know the way to church this morning!” Dad added, looking at his watch.  “Peter, thanks for helping us map out this morning’s Gospel reading.  Come on, Everyone!  Our ‘guide,’ Jesus, is waiting for us at Mass!”

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

Our mission is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living our beautiful Catholic Faith!

Are you looking for more ways to help your family reclaim Sundays and grow closer to Jesus together?

• Help Father dress for Mass with our Priest Paper Doll.
• Learn about the Liturgical Year in a big-picture way with our Liturgical Calendar
• Follow Family Formation’s blog, connect with us on Facebook, and on Instagram.
• Meet the Pauline family.