Catholicism

Jesus, Our Faithful Friend

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Sunday 25th Week in Ordinary Time Readings

When I was a young boy, my grandfather told me that Jesus was his best and faithful friend. I did not understand. How could someone we cannot see become our closest friend? Still, his words remained with me.

As I grew older and turned to Jesus in prayer, I began to understand. I discovered that Jesus was also my faithful friend. Whenever I called upon Him, He reminded me that I was not alone. His presence quieted my mind and brought peace to my heart. The more I received His love, the more I wanted to share it.  To me, the presence of Jesus is a grace from God—a gift I hadn’t earned, but one that met me exactly where I was.

Years later, my grandfather was nearing the end of his life. I visited him in hospice and, sensing this might be our last time together, called my brother to come and be with us. We sat beside his bed, sharing memories, telling stories, and laughing. Although our grandfather could no longer speak as he once had, we knew he was listening. In our hearts, we could almost hear him laughing with us. 

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Saint James the Greater: Apostle, Pilgrim, and Model for Evangelization

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Sponsored: This article is made possible by Follow My Camino, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

Saint James the Greater, son of Zebedee and Salome, was one of the first called by Jesus along the shores of Galilee. Along with his brother John, he left behind nets, boats, and family to follow the Lord immediately. Scripture captures this moment with striking simplicity: “They left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:20). That willingness to leave everything behind is at the heart of why James remains such a powerful figure for pilgrims today.

James was part of Christ’s “inner circle,” along with Peter and John. He witnessed miracles and mysteries most did not—the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. These moments of glory and suffering shaped James into a disciple who understood that to follow Christ was to share both in His triumph and in His Cross.

Nicknamed with his brother as “Boanerges,” or “sons of thunder,” James had a fiery temperament. At one point, he even asked Jesus if he should call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Him (Luke 9:54). Yet this zeal, when purified by grace, became a driving force for evangelization. James eventually grew into a disciple who no longer sought honor for himself but laid down his very life for Christ. Around A.D. 44, James was martyred by King Herod Agrippa, making him the first of the Apostles to receive the crown of martyrdom.

The journey from fisherman to martyr reminds us that holiness is not instant perfection but faithful transformation. Like James, we too are called to be formed by both the joys and trials of following Christ.

The Camino and the Legacy of Saint James

James’ story does not end with his martyrdom. According to ancient tradition, his remains were carried miraculously to Galicia in Spain. There, at Compostela—meaning “field of the star”—pilgrims began to venerate his tomb as early as the 9th century. This place became the heart of one of Christianity’s greatest pilgrimages: the Camino de Santiago, or “Way of Saint James.”

The Camino quickly became more than a route to a shrine. It was, and still is, a living metaphor for the Christian journey. Pilgrims walk with blisters, burdens, and unexpected companions, just as Christians make their way through life with joys, sufferings, and surprises. To walk the Camino is to echo James’ original act of leaving behind nets and securities to follow the Lord wherever He leads.

For centuries, countless faithful—from medieval peasants to modern seekers—have made their way across Spain to Compostela. Some walk for penance, some for healing, others simply for the chance to rediscover faith through the rhythm of step after step. The Camino remains a spiritual school of humility, conversion, and encounter.

This is where groups such as Follow My Camino play a special role today. They help modern pilgrims enter into this centuries-old tradition with guidance, preparation, and support. For those longing to walk in the footsteps of Saint James but uncertain where to begin, such accompaniment makes the pilgrimage more accessible while preserving its deeply spiritual heart.

Symbols of a Pilgrim Apostle

Christian iconography developed rich symbols for Saint James that still resonate with pilgrims. He is often depicted with a wide-brimmed hat, a staff for walking, and a scallop shell. Each of these speaks to his enduring role as the patron of pilgrims.

The staff represents both physical and spiritual support. It is the reminder that we do not walk alone: God’s grace sustains us on the road. The shell, perhaps the most famous emblem, became the badge of those who had completed the Camino. Just as water fills the grooves of a scallop shell from different directions but flows into one point, the Camino gathers pilgrims from all over the world to converge at Compostela, united in Christ.

In some depictions, James appears on horseback as Santiago Matamoros, a figure connected to medieval legends. While this image reflected the historical struggles of the time, the deeper truth it represents today is the triumph of faith over fear. James remains a symbol of courage and steadfastness, urging us not to lose heart in the face of trials.

Even in Orthodox iconography, James is pictured with scrolls or books, emphasizing his identity as a bearer of the Gospel. Whether carrying a pilgrim’s staff or a holy book, the iconography always highlights his dual mission: to walk and to proclaim. He is both traveler and evangelist, disciple and teacher, reminding us that every Christian journey is meant to overflow into witness.

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Saint James as a Model for Evangelization

What makes Saint James a compelling model for evangelization is not his perfection but his transformation. At first, he was ambitious, fiery, even impulsive. Over time, through closeness to Jesus and the power of the Spirit, he became courageous, faithful, and willing to give everything—even his life.

His story shows that evangelization begins with listening to Christ’s call and stepping out in faith, even if we don’t have everything figured out. James immediately left his nets behind, a reminder that discipleship often requires surrendering comforts and securities. Evangelizers today can take inspiration from that same readiness to go where Christ sends.

James also shows us the importance of zeal. While his thunderous temperament needed refining, his passionate heart became an instrument for proclaiming the Gospel with courage. Evangelization today requires that same blend of passion and humility: a love so great it cannot remain silent, but also a service so humble it always points back to Christ rather than self.

Finally, his connection to pilgrimage reminds us that evangelization is itself a journey. It is not simply about delivering information but about accompanying others step by step, sharing joys and sufferings, and pointing toward the hope found in Christ. Just as pilgrims encourage one another along the Camino, so too evangelizers walk alongside others in faith.

Organizations like Follow My Camino remind us that the physical pilgrimage of Santiago is also an icon of the spiritual pilgrimage every Christian undertakes. Whether we set out on the Camino across Spain or live our daily journey at home, the invitation remains the same: to walk with James in following Christ wholeheartedly and to share that joy with others.

Conclusion: Walking with Saint James

Saint James the Greater’s life is a testament to what it means to follow Christ without reserve. From leaving his nets behind, to standing at the Transfiguration, to sharing in Christ’s agony, to finally drinking the cup of martyrdom, his story embodies the call to discipleship in its fullness.

His association with the Camino de Santiago ensures that his witness continues to inspire millions of pilgrims across centuries. His symbols—the staff, the shell, the book—still speak to us today about the Christian life as a journey of faith, service, and evangelization.

If we long to become better witnesses to the Gospel, we can look to Saint James as our guide. His transformation gives us hope that God can shape our weaknesses into strengths. His zeal encourages us to share the Good News boldly. And his patronage over pilgrims reminds us that every step we take, in prayer or on the road, can bring us closer to Christ.

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From Heart to Heart: Forgiven to Love as Christ Loves

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,

A man once decided to volunteer at a hospital. His work was simple: he visited patients who had no family or friends coming to see them. On his first day, he entered one room after another, sitting beside people he had only just met. He listened to their stories, held trembling hands, prayed with those who welcomed prayer, and offered encouragement to those who felt forgotten.

He spent the entire day with strangers. Yet by evening, they were no longer strangers. Their gratitude—the relieved smile, the quiet “thank you,” the light returning to a lonely face—was more than enough to bring him back the next day, and the next.

Whenever he left a room, he tried to leave something of Jesus behind: the light and love of Christ flowing from his heart into the heart of the person he had visited. He would offer a smile and a word of hope. Then he would say, “I love you as Jesus loves you.”

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The Exaltation of the Cross: From Suffering to Hope

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Every September 14, the Church pauses to celebrate something that at first glance seems strange: the Exaltation of the Cross. The word exaltation means “lifting up” or “glorifying.” It’s a reminder that the instrument once used for shame and execution now stands as the very sign of salvation and hope. We do not merely remember the crucifixion on this feast — we rejoice in the triumph of Christ’s love poured out on the wood of the Cross.

The Cross is not only an event in history; it is the key that unlocks the whole Christian mystery. To exalt the Cross is to recognize that in this sign of suffering, God has revealed His deepest love. As St. John Vianney once said, “Everything is a reminder of the Cross. We ourselves are made in the shape of a cross.” The Cross is imprinted not only on the Church’s liturgy, but in the very design of our bodies and our lives.

The History and Meaning of the Feast

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What Are You Still Holding Onto?

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“Go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

I have heard the story of the Rich Young Man countless times. As a cradle Catholic, it is one of those Gospel passages that became familiar to me at an early age. For years, though, I mostly interpreted Jesus’ words in terms of material possessions.

The young man was wealthy. Jesus told him to sell what he owned. The lesson seemed straightforward: Don’t become too attached to your stuff.

There is truth to that interpretation. But the older I get, the more I realize Jesus’ invitation goes deeper. Christ asks the young man to surrender whatever prevents him from following God completely.

And that is a much more challenging request.

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Letting God’s Love Flow: Becoming Vessels of Christ’s Light

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 18:15-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

Let me begin with a story from not so long ago, yet one that shines as a living parable of the light and love of God. Saint Teresa of Calcutta—known to the world as Mother Teresa—walked the crowded, dusty streets of her city, gathering the dying, the abandoned, and the forgotten into her arms.

When others averted their eyes or crossed to the other side, she knelt down, touched the wounds of the suffering, and looked into their faces with a tenderness that could only have come from God. She saw, in each broken body and lost soul, the face of Jesus Himself. The love she poured out was not her own, but God’s love moving through her—her hands became His hands, her words became the whispers of Christ’s mercy, her heart beat with the steady, patient love of the Holy Spirit. The world saw her as extraordinary, but what she did was simple: she let God enter her heart, and in doing so, she let God’s love flow out to everyone she met.

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The Anchor of Faith: Hope, Mary, and the Papacy

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Sponsored: This article is made possible by Sacred Anchor Artisans, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

From the earliest centuries, Christians turned to the image of the anchor as a powerful symbol of faith and hope. For sailors, this mooring point was a lifeline: a guarantee of stability amid storms and a safeguard against drifting into dangerous waters. For persecuted Christians in Rome, it became even more than that.

In the catacombs, anchors appeared frequently on epitaphs, sometimes paired with inscriptions like pax tecum (“peace be with you”) or in pace (“in peace”). These weren’t decorative choices. They were confessions of hope — hope that their loved ones, grounded in Christ, had reached the safe harbor of heaven.

The Epistle to the Hebrews gives us the clearest biblical grounding: “We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:19–20). The anchor became shorthand for that “sure and firm” hope: Christ Himself, our refuge and salvation.

In fact, this symbol often functioned as a “disguised cross” in the first centuries, when the open depiction of the cross was still rare. Some anchors in the catacombs show fish clinging to its flukes, a subtle proclamation of Christ crucified, recognizable only to believers. The symbol was a way of declaring faith quietly but unmistakably, even when open confession was dangerous.

That hidden cross within the anchor reminds us that our faith is always rooted in both hope and sacrifice. To be secured in Christ is to rest not on worldly certainty but on the wood of His Cross.

Mary: The Star of Hope and Foundation of the Soul

Over time, Christian reflection expanded the meaning of the anchor by connecting it with Mary, the Mother of God. The Church has long hailed her as Stella Maris — the “Star of the Sea.” Sailors looked to the stars to navigate treacherous waters; the faithful look to Mary to stay on course toward Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI called her the “Star of Hope,” a radiant sign in history’s often stormy sea. He wrote in Spe Salvi that Mary is a guiding presence for the Church and for every believer, helping us keep sight of the heavenly harbor when waves rise high.

This Marian dimension of the anchor becomes especially clear on Holy Saturday. When the world seemed swallowed in silence and loss, Mary remained steadfast. She kept hope alive, offering the disciples a steady foundation of trust that her Son would rise. Her unwavering faith became a living source of stability for the soul, holding fast when everything else seemed uncertain.

The image of rosaries hanging on an anchor captures this beautifully: Mary, through prayer, moors us securely to Christ. Just as an anchor steadies a ship, Mary’s intercession steadies the Church, guiding us through confusion and darkness.

For a Catholic family cooperative like Sacred Anchor Artisans, this symbolism is not abstract. Their very name reflects this Marian spirituality. The anchor in their home shrine is a reminder that beauty and creativity, offered through art, can be a stable point of grace in a storm-tossed culture.

The Papacy: A Safe Harbor of Truth and Unity

This symbol also carries a deep resonance with the papacy. While the keys of Peter are the most recognized papal emblem, the image of steadfastness and security found in the anchor offers a fitting complement.

Christ designated Peter as the “rock” on which the Church would be built (Matthew 16:18). That rock is immovable, a fixed point that withstands floods and storms. The Pope, as Peter’s successor, serves in this same role today, providing stability and unity for the Church universal.

St. Ambrose once wrote: “As the anchor thrown from a ship prevents this from being borne about, but holds it securely, so faith, strengthened by hope.” The Pope, entrusted with strengthening the brethren (Luke 22:32), guards the Church in the truth of Christ, preventing it from drifting with every cultural current.

Think of the Church as a great ship. The seas of history are often turbulent: heresies, persecutions, doubts, divisions. Yet the papacy, rooted in Christ’s promise, functions as a safe harbor for the faithful. The successor of Peter does not replace Christ the Pilot but serves as His visible sign of guidance, keeping the Church moored to Truth Himself.

When we profess our faith, especially in times of confusion, we cling to the same hope as the early Christians in the catacombs. Our foundation is Christ, and the papacy keeps the lifeline of faith secure.

Anchored in Beauty: The Mission of Sacred Anchor Artisans

If the anchor is such a profound Christian symbol, what does it mean for a Catholic family business to choose it as their name? For Sacred Anchor Artisans, the choice is deliberate. Their cooperative is meant to be a steadying presence in a noisy, storm-tossed world.

At Catholic conferences, retreats, and events across the country, Sacred Anchor brings together the work of dozens of Catholic makers — artists, jewelers, woodworkers, and more. They offer gifts that are not only beautiful but spiritually grounding. A handcrafted crucifix, a Marian print, a rosary bracelet: these are not just keepsakes. They are steady reminders of grace, helping families carry their faith home in tangible ways.

The Olsens’ home shrine, dedicated in the Schoenstatt tradition, inspired this vision. Their family’s “Anchor of the Soul” shrine is a Marian devotion, a place where beauty, prayer, and grace steady daily life. Sacred Anchor Artisans extends that mission outward. In effect, they carry their shrine into the world, creating points of stability and faith wherever Catholic families gather.

This is why their work matters. In an age of fleeting trends and disposable products, Sacred Anchor offers what lasts: art rooted in truth, beauty grounded in faith, gifts that moor souls to Christ.

Holding Fast to Hope

This ancient emblem, one of Christianity’s oldest symbols, has always spoken of stability, safety, and hope. For the early Church, it was a hidden cross in the catacombs, a sign of salvation amid persecution. For the faithful through the ages, it has represented the hope of heaven, the intercession of Mary, and the steadying hand of the papacy.

Today, it continues to inspire. To hang a rosary on this symbol, to meditate on Mary as the Star of Hope, to trust the papacy as the Church’s stabilizing guide — these are all ways of saying the same thing: Christ is our anchor, sure and firm.

Sacred Anchor Artisans captures this truth in both name and mission. By supporting Catholic makers and sharing their creations, they help families bring steadfast reminders of faith into their homes. In doing so, they remind us that beauty itself can be a grounding force: steady, hopeful, and sacred.

May we, too, anchor our hearts in Christ. May Mary, Star of the Sea, guide us through life’s storms. And may the Church, grounded in truth, always point us toward the eternal harbor of heaven.

Thank you to today’s sponsor! Discover more by visiting Sacred Anchor Artisans today.

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