At the end of the film, The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo decides to leave all of his friends behind and starts to paddle across the river. He is spotted by Sam who frantically wades into the water after him. Frodo calls to him, “Go back Sam. I’m going to Mordor alone.” To which steadfast Sam replies, “Of course you are. And I’m coming with you!” Many of us often feel like Frodo, carrying a heavy burden and feeling like there are none who can understand what we are going through or help us in any way. We’d be surprised how much our family and friends might be able to understand and to help if we only gave them half a chance. But even if it is true that suffering is unique and unknowable by any earthly power, that does not mean that there is not One Who can follow us on our solitary journey, and in fact will do so whether or not we want to accept it. When Christ sees us heading off on our own and runs to us from a far way off, and when we tell Him to turn back because we are going into peril alone, what is His reply? Of course you are. And I’m coming with you! We can’t leave Him behind because wherever we are running to, He is already there. He is on our right hand and on our left. He is the rock upon which we stand, the light by which we see, the bread and water of life that sustain us, the fire that burns within us. And just as with Sam and Frodo, He may not always be able to carry our burdens for us, but He can carry us.
