What is the sacrament of failure?
It is the offering of reality that accepts the reality of our vulnerability, our flaws, our incapacity, and our wavering resolve in light of God's unwavering grace, mercy, and love.
It is the simple pathway through which pass on the way to and with the Way.
It is the hope that lingers after regret, the healing that follows our brokenness.
It is the tomorrow that follows a dark night.
It is the word that is spoken gently and immediately after the words,
"You will betray me three times before the alarm goes off tomorrow morning."
But the failure becomes a sacrament when Jesus enters into it with grace, mercy, and transforming purpose.
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going."
Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?'
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." - John 14:1-7 (ESV)
Elegant simplicity.
Profound complexity.
Peace, passion, and purpose.
"The Way, you know" for "I am the Way."
That is all you really have to know to follow.
And follow is all you really need to do.
