17 November 2022 - Thursday of the 33rd week in Ordinary Time - Luke 19:41-44

      In our Gospel passage today, Jesus approaches the holy city of Jerusalem for the last time during his public ministry here on earth, during which he is overcome with emotion.  He weeps for his city and for his people, knowing in his heart that destruction and calamity will befall them soon. Jesus knew that the Jews of Ancient Israel struggled throughout their history to follow God, to be true to God’s commandments and laws, and  to honor their covenant with him. For the many times that they strayed, the Jews were often recalcitrant and willfully disobedient. Perhaps on our own faith journey through life, we may struggle with the same things that the Jews did in Ancient Israel.  

       I was listening to a podcast, produced by a high school teacher at a private academy in Portland, Oregon. This young man has contributed many writings and broadcasts to promote the pilgrimage of the Way of St James in Spain, a pilgrimage that has its roots in the Catholic faith, as its end point in the Cathedral in Spain that contains the remain of St James the Greater, Apostle. Even today, certificates for the completion of the pilgrimage are issued by the Diocese of Santiago de Compostela. I have listened to more than 30 different podcast episodes 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 an attitude of spirituality and faith when he approaches his pilgrimage walks on the Camino. He says that he is not a Christian and not a believer. 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 Christ's 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.”