Jesus approaches the holy city of Jerusalem for the last time during his public ministry here on earth. He is overcome with heart-felt emotion, weeping for his city and for his people. Jesus knows in his heart that destruction and calamity will befall them very soon. Jesus knew that the Jews of Ancient Israel struggled throughout their history to follow God, to be true to God’s laws and to honor their covenant with him. For the many times they’ve strayed, the Jews were often recalcitrant and willfully disobedient. Perhaps in our journey of faith, we struggle with the same things that the Jews did in Ancient Israel. I was listening to my favorite podcast one day, produced by a high school teacher in Portland, Oregon who has done a lot to promote the Camino of Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. Since the 9th century, this pilgrimage has been an important part of the Catholic faith. I have listened to more than two dozen podcasts that this young man has produced, enjoying them immensely. However, it shocked me when he stated in one of his podcasts that he considers himself a secular pilgrim and does not bring a perspective of Christian spirituality and faith on his pilgrimage journeys on the Camino. That comment shocked me a bit, because he is such a big fan of the pilgrimage route and nothing he had said previously led me believe that he approached pilgrimage from a non-religious and non-spiritual perspective. As Catholics and as disciples of Christ, we are called to approach life through the lens of our faith, to be faithful witnesses to Gospel. We are called to undertake great sacrifices and hardships for the sake of the faith. As opposed to how Jesus saw the people of Jerusalem of his day, may he be able to say to us at the end of our journey: “Well done, faithful disciple.”
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