Today's Readings
Today’s readings are a great reminder for us to focus our attention on Jesus, the ONLY source of true happiness, healing and peace.
Three words came to mind as I contemplated all three readings: pilgrimage, gratitude and encounter. We are all on a journey in this life - an earthly pilgrimage, if you will. The purpose of that pilgrimage? To be in communion with God and one another. That’s why we were made. It’s our purpose.
Isaiah tells us “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” What is that light he’s talking about? Maybe the light of love, compassion and patience. Love of God, compassion for our neighbor and patience in suffering. That is exactly what Jesus modeled for us during His earthly pilgrimage. The pilgrimage theme continues in Psalm 122 when we hear a song sung by pilgrims on a journey to Jerusalem. Jerusalem for them was a place where they encountered God and His power. We can hear how grateful they are for the peace and transformation they experience in such a holy place. How perfectly the readings fit together and how perfect the timing!
In the Gospel of Matthew we hear the familiar words of the centurion. The words we utter during the liturgy immediately before encountering Christ in the Eucharist. This Gospel brings it all together in one place: pilgrimage, gratitude and encounter. We witness the centurion living humanity’s purpose. His faith leads him on pilgrimage to Jesus as He enters Capernaum. He’s grateful for the mercy of Christ because without it encounter would be impossible. His encounter with Christ leads to healing! POWERFUL!
What does this mean for us today? For starters, an encounter with Christ is not reserved only for “characters” in the Bible. Jesus calls us to encounter Him everyday. We are called to grow in relationship with a Savior who so desperately wants to hear our YES - not because we HAVE to but because we WANT to - because of our deep love for Him. We can encounter Christ in so many ways: through prayer, Scripture, meditation, participation in the Sacraments and through works of charity (the things we do for our neighbor). Come to think of it, isn’t that what the centurion was doing - encountering Christ through prayer for his neighbor preceded by participation in the sacrament of confession?
Advent is a good time to take stock of how often and in what ways we encounter Christ. Is our encounter enough to heal and transform us as it did our ancestors while on pilgrimage? Pilgrimage doesn’t have to be traveling to a far off land to encounter Christ. Pilgrimage can be as simple as stepping out of our comfort zone. An increase in prayer time, beginning a new practice like meditatIon, sitting before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration or attending mass more than once a week. Even offering a prayer or donation of money or time to our neighbors in need. In Scripture, we hear of the power of encounter. Why not experience that power for ourselves?
In my personal experience, small changes to my “routine” during the seasons of Advent and Lent made me realize that I actually CAN do more to encounter Christ. My seasonal “changes” eventually became permanent. I cannot express in words how much healing has come from these encounters. Healing that reverberates, by the grace of God, through me to many others. The more I encounter Christ, the more I want to encounter Him and for THAT I am grateful.
Pope Francis, once said: “Let us, therefore, keep up the “tone” of our lives, reminding ourselves towards what end, for what glory we exist, we work, we struggle, we suffer; and the immense prize to which we are called.” That immense prize to which we are called is eternal life in the next - but in the here and now it’s love and peace! Love of God and neighbor and peace of heart and mind. That, my friends, is where true happiness lies! Go get it, it’s within reach!
May God the Father guide us on our earthly pilgrimage
to walk in the light of the Lord.
May Jesus the Son open our hearts and minds
to desire true encounter with Him.
May the Holy Spirit heal our wounded souls,
that we might be transformed.
Amen.
Vilma Blankowitz lives in Warwick with her husband Frank and their two dogs, Foster and Mellow. She enjoys being part of this faith community and currently participates in several ministries including religious education as catechist, Eucharistic Minister, Women’s Sodality, Adoration and Mother’s Cupboard. In her free time she shares faith stories and inspiration on her blog www.shepherdoffaith.com.
Today’s readings are a great reminder for us to focus our attention on Jesus, the ONLY source of true happiness, healing and peace.
Three words came to mind as I contemplated all three readings: pilgrimage, gratitude and encounter. We are all on a journey in this life - an earthly pilgrimage, if you will. The purpose of that pilgrimage? To be in communion with God and one another. That’s why we were made. It’s our purpose.
Isaiah tells us “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” What is that light he’s talking about? Maybe the light of love, compassion and patience. Love of God, compassion for our neighbor and patience in suffering. That is exactly what Jesus modeled for us during His earthly pilgrimage. The pilgrimage theme continues in Psalm 122 when we hear a song sung by pilgrims on a journey to Jerusalem. Jerusalem for them was a place where they encountered God and His power. We can hear how grateful they are for the peace and transformation they experience in such a holy place. How perfectly the readings fit together and how perfect the timing!
In the Gospel of Matthew we hear the familiar words of the centurion. The words we utter during the liturgy immediately before encountering Christ in the Eucharist. This Gospel brings it all together in one place: pilgrimage, gratitude and encounter. We witness the centurion living humanity’s purpose. His faith leads him on pilgrimage to Jesus as He enters Capernaum. He’s grateful for the mercy of Christ because without it encounter would be impossible. His encounter with Christ leads to healing! POWERFUL!
What does this mean for us today? For starters, an encounter with Christ is not reserved only for “characters” in the Bible. Jesus calls us to encounter Him everyday. We are called to grow in relationship with a Savior who so desperately wants to hear our YES - not because we HAVE to but because we WANT to - because of our deep love for Him. We can encounter Christ in so many ways: through prayer, Scripture, meditation, participation in the Sacraments and through works of charity (the things we do for our neighbor). Come to think of it, isn’t that what the centurion was doing - encountering Christ through prayer for his neighbor preceded by participation in the sacrament of confession?
Advent is a good time to take stock of how often and in what ways we encounter Christ. Is our encounter enough to heal and transform us as it did our ancestors while on pilgrimage? Pilgrimage doesn’t have to be traveling to a far off land to encounter Christ. Pilgrimage can be as simple as stepping out of our comfort zone. An increase in prayer time, beginning a new practice like meditatIon, sitting before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration or attending mass more than once a week. Even offering a prayer or donation of money or time to our neighbors in need. In Scripture, we hear of the power of encounter. Why not experience that power for ourselves?
In my personal experience, small changes to my “routine” during the seasons of Advent and Lent made me realize that I actually CAN do more to encounter Christ. My seasonal “changes” eventually became permanent. I cannot express in words how much healing has come from these encounters. Healing that reverberates, by the grace of God, through me to many others. The more I encounter Christ, the more I want to encounter Him and for THAT I am grateful.
Pope Francis, once said: “Let us, therefore, keep up the “tone” of our lives, reminding ourselves towards what end, for what glory we exist, we work, we struggle, we suffer; and the immense prize to which we are called.” That immense prize to which we are called is eternal life in the next - but in the here and now it’s love and peace! Love of God and neighbor and peace of heart and mind. That, my friends, is where true happiness lies! Go get it, it’s within reach!
May God the Father guide us on our earthly pilgrimage
to walk in the light of the Lord.
May Jesus the Son open our hearts and minds
to desire true encounter with Him.
May the Holy Spirit heal our wounded souls,
that we might be transformed.
Amen.