Wednesday, Jan 28

An Advent responsory in the Liturgy of the Hours encourages us: “We are Christ’s pilgrim people, journeying until we reach our homeland, singing on the way as we eagerly expect the fulfillment of our hope.  For if one hopes, even though his tongue is still, he is always singing in his heart.”  Cynics might scoff at this, but could greater faith make these words come alive on my journey?

Monday, Jan 26

Often, especially as we age, we like to settle into what feels comfortable.  We tire of keeping on moving on.  Pope St. John XXIII while dying of cancer visited prisoners and hospitalized children.  When asked why he didn’t just concentrate on himself and his health problems, he said, “I believe that while we’re alive, let’s really LIVE!” Where do I need his Gospel spirit?

Friday, Jan 23

The Magi in Matthew’s gospel are models of true pilgrimage.  They respond to an inner call from God and set out not knowing where the journey will take them.  When they keep their eyes fixed on the star (for us: Jesus in the gospels, sacraments, and prayer), they make progress – with little support from others.  But they end up finding Christ and can never go back to the same old routine way of living.