Today is our
first full day back in Jerusalem after our trip to Jordan. Today was actually a free day for us to
recover from the Jordanian trip, to catch up on journal writing or homework, or to
just explore the city. One of the things
many of us spent time doing today was catching up on email or other
communications with our friends and family back home. We find ourselves being asked about schedules
and other obligations when we return home in just a few short weeks. While beginning to look to the future, one
thing is clear: our pilgrimage is rapidly reaching its conclusion. Or is it?
Not wanting to
neglect the duties we have at home, it is important to also remember that our
pilgrimage continues. This is not time
to simply check out and look forward to what comes next. God is still working in and through us on
this pilgrimage and is asking us to remain attentive to the here and now. That is one of the principle points of a
pilgrimage: being open to what is occurring now and seeing how it helps us live
a more authentic Christian life. At Mass
by the banks of the Jordan River, the site of the Baptism of Jesus, the
celebrant reminded us that, as Christians, our life here on earth is nothing
but a pilgrimage. The ultimate goal of
this pilgrimage is life with God.
Danielle Rose, a Christian singer-songwriter, once wrote a song entitled 'See You in the Eucharist.' Towards the
end of the song she says:
"We are pilgrims on
a journey
We are headed for
the throne
Carried on the wings
of angels
Oh we do not walk
alone
All our prayers we
lay before Him
And His grace will
pave the way
To lead us to our
one true home
Where we'll see
each other face to face."
This pilgrimage should remind all of us that, as Christians, we are
always called to seek God. We are called
to imitate Jesus and be led by the Holy Spirit to see the Father face to
face. While our pilgrimage to the Holy
Land is drawing to a close, our pilgrimage as Christians will continue long
afterwards.
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