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.

Wednesday, Jan 21

The epistle to the Hebrews tells us (12:1-2): “Since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and keep on running the race set before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”  What are the distractions I let in which keep my  eyes fixed AWAY from Jesus?