In the 1970 musical "Godspell"(which will see a 40th anniversary revival this August), Peggy sings the song "By My Side." The lyrics start out with the question addressed to Jesus, "Where are you going?" and continue with the words, "Can you take me with you?? Far beyond where the horizon lies." It is a song for the road as the company approaches Jerusalem, and Jesus prepares for the inevitable end. Through the years, Godspell has enjoyed occasional productions put on by parish youth groups around the country. Like a travelling road show, the musical has popped up here and there to charm audiences with its mime and minstrel techniques and share the good

news in a lighthearted manner.

In Luke's Gospel, the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem is a literary device meant to convey the inevitable fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. The geographical directionality (toward Jerusalem) mirrors the salvific intentions of God. Nothing is going to prevent Jesus from entering the city and accomplishing the Father's will. As today's Gospel describes it, Jesus was "resolutely determined."

The question Peggy asks, "Can you take me with you?" is the question of the Christian to Jesus. But it is one that we can only ask in faith. If we really want to follow Jesus, really want him to take us with him on this journey, then we need to be prepared for the challenges along the way. We also need to let go of those things that stand in the way of following Jesus, including the old life of sin that we are to leave behind. Peggy's song to Jesus concludes with the words "finally glad that I am here by your side" and takes place just before the final events of Jesus' passion. That is our song too, finally glad that we are by his side after the journey of our life. Peace!