My Wheelbarrow

It's only in admitting how weak we are and embracing it that we can witness the true power of God. Without admitting our own shortcomings we cannot begin to understand the strength of God working in and through us. or even allow the strength of God to work in us.

Over Thanksgiving break I went to visit my relatives in California, and during Mass heard a homily that rocked me to the core. I don't remember it well enough to quote it, but I'll try to summarize.

There was once an acrobat named Blondin. He was born in France in 1824. He was very talented and at the age of 5 became known as the Boy Wonder. He grew and learned and eventually moved to the United States to work with a circus.

In 1859 he decided to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He became very famous for this and people began to flock to the site to watch him. He began by walking across, but soon increased the difficulty by running across. Next, he went blindfolded across. He crossed on 6 foot tall stilts and then on a bicycle. All of these he did for a constantly growing crowd of fans who loved him. 

Then, he brought out a wheelbarrow. He asked his adoring crowd, "Do you think I can do it?" And they all cheered and applauded - encouraging him on. He asked again, and their response grew louder. He asked once more, "Do you think I can do it?" The crowd was going wild in their affirmation that they indeed believed in him.

Then, his question became, "Do you want to join me?" The cheers started to die down in confusion. He rephrased his question and wondered who would like to get in the wheelbarrow and come with him across, since they all had no doubt he could do it. When noone spoke up, he continued saying that he wasn't going to cross with the wheelbarrow unless someone got in it. As they became aware that he was indeed going to wait, they all waited. Then, one by one they started to tire of waiting and left, until he was standing alone with his wheelbarrow.

They all believed he could do it, but wouldn't act on that belief. He wouldn't do it without them, and since not one would act on their belief in him, he was kept from doing the crazy act of wheeling someone across the rope. Yet they claimed they thought he could do it. But did they?

Do I?

I see this as a metaphor to getting to Heaven. I can't get there on my own - I can't actually walk on a rope across the Niagara Falls, but Jesus can. And He is offering me a way over. It's scary. It's risking something to get in the wheelbarrow; someone else has my life in their hands. Do I actually believe He can do it? And if I do, do I act on that belief and get in? Do I trust the cross of Christ? Do I trust Christ pushing my wheelbarrow? If not, he won't act without me...

But if I do, think of the experience He wants to give me! On my own, I would never see the falls from that perspective, feel the excitement as the water rushes past me, feel the spray upon my face, get to the other side! But with Him, I can. I can allow Him to bring me to Heaven, to experience the joy of that journey here on earth, to get to the other side of death with Him! I can allow the crowd around me the joy and excitement of watching Him push someone across the falls in His wheelbarrow.

Do I get in the wheelbarrow?