The cascading waterfall of Basaseachi in the Mexican state of Chihuahua is an experience that left me speechless several times.
It was precisely in this town within the imposing Sierra Tarahumara that I had the opportunity to go on missions during my three years of high school at LaSalle School.
I vividly remember the feeling of standing next to the waterfall. Depending on the flow, the amount of humidity was affected as I approached. But it wasn’t just the humidity; it was the magnificence of nature. A landscape of that magnitude not only left me speechless, but also evoked enormous admiration for creation. For reference, the waterfall is approximately 985 feet high.
In my case, it made me feel part of something bigger.
The Raramuri community or Tarahumara, is from this Sierra Tarahumara, a native community with a long tradition. They have been able to largely preserve their community in part due to their tendency to preserve their customs. During one of those mission weeks, groups of students who went door-to-door in the community relied on people they knew more or less who were familiar with the area. The small groups asked where there were other houses to visit and invite to Holy Week celebrations. It was during these conversations that a very characteristic phrase emerged.
When asked by the missionaries:
“Where can we find some other families?”
The most memorable response was:
“Over there, behind the little hill.”
And the anecdote was that that little hill had about three or five hills.
The Tarahumara are physically very strong people, accustomed to walking long distances.
In more recent years, the Tarahumara have gained fame from athletic running groups, as some have competed at the professional level, winning first place. And their gym? Nature.
That nature, a similar space to the ones I knew, is where the Tarahumara are accustomed to walking, running, and living.
Nature is their path; their way.
And you, have you identified your path, your way?
For the Tarahumara, it is this path within nature that has prepared them to move forward, and has also prepared some of them to excel professionally as runners.
What is the path or the way that prepares you for whatever comes your way?
Jesus himself says that he is The Way.
I recently heard someone describing a conversation with a friend. He shared something like this:
-In my 20s, I thought life was about the destination. In my 30s, I thought life was about the journey. Now in my 40s, I see that life is about who we walk with.
How could each of us not only walk with Jesus, but walk in Jesus?
And like the Tarahumara, let the path, The Way, prepare and strengthen us as we journey toward new destinations.
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the carpenter what you see as your path today. And perhaps, on the way to your destiny, you will discover that you are not alone.
Marisol
P.S.: We can hear about Jesus defining himself as The Way in the readings for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year/Cycle C.
