Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 “Repent, and believe the Good News.”
Full sermon text: We may have heard it said that we are on “a pilgrimage in this life.” Today this phrase may not have as much of an impact because culturally we are not as familiar with the concept of a pilgrimage. The Catholic dictionary defines pilgrimage as a journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of religious devotion. Pilgrimages have a long rich history in Christian culture. Going back to the beginning of Christianity, the faithful would make these spiritual journeys to such places as the Holy Land and Rome.
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It was done for a variety of reasons: to venerate the relics of a saint, ask a special favor of God, beg for the cure of an illness, express thanks to God, and/or as an act of penance for sin. For two thousand years of Christian history, pilgrimages have been a part of life. Today, we do still see it done though on a smaller scale. In my hometown of Scranton, PA, a group of faithful will travel for miles on foot through the early hours of the morning to arrive at the Basilica of St. Ann in time for the patronal feast day of the grandmother of Jesus. On a much smaller scale, my own family would also often take Sunday drives when I was a child to nearby churches or to visit the graves of our relatives.
Travel light
Looking more closely at a pilgrimage we find that there are several aspects to them: First, they require that we travel light while on the journey. Like the disciples, we must be willing to “leave our nets and work behind in the boat” while going forth on a spiritual journey. This act helps us to mentally and physically detach ourselves from the things which can keep us from living for God alone. Secondly, a pilgrimage often takes place in a group of people. In the Middle Ages it was common for a group of faithful to travel to the Holy Land or a Shrine. Even today we will sometimes see a group from a parish travel with a priest to Lourdes, Rome, or the Holy Land.
This action of traveling with others shows the communal nature of our faith. We are together the Body of Christ, called to worship together at the same Altar. We are not saved alone, but through the prayers, assistance, and sacrifices of so many on earth and the Saints in heaven. So it only makes sense that we travel together to enliven and show our one faith in Jesus Christ. Thirdly, there is a certain haste that is part of the journey. We who are traveling together have a one goal: to arrive at the sight and express our faith. We don’t want to get caught up with things along the journey, which are not part of the purpose. We should not stay too long in one place along the way until we reach our destination or goal.
Keep the candle burning
Our readings today certainly focus our attention on a worthy goal, the Kingdom of God. The Gospel tells us that Jesus came announcing that “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” The concept of the Kingdom of God can be a bit confusing in the New Testament. At times, we are told that the Kingdom is at hand, but others times it is said that Kingdom of God is to come. The answer to this riddle is that both statements are correct. Jesus was sent by the Father to initiate the Kingdom. He does this by his teaching especially through his Passion, Death and Resurrection. We experience the effects of the Kingdom as we are baptized. At our Baptism, we receive Sanctifying Grace, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and we can now call God our Father.
Yet, we still are told at our Baptism to take the lit candle as a symbol of the life of faith we have been given to us. Salvation has not yet been achieved, instead we must keep the candle burning brightly throughout our lives until we meet our maker. We are a pilgrim people who have experienced the life of God (grace), but have not yet reached our goal. The goal of our journey is life united with the Trinity forever. We will experience this body and soul when Jesus comes again. This is why we say in the Creed each Sunday that we await the “Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The goal of our pilgrimage is firmly established by our faith and it will be glorious!!
Don’t get distracted
Yet, at this point we are still traveling on a pilgrimage with the whole Church toward that goal. We don’t want to get distracted by material possessions or the worries of this world. We, also, don’t want to lose touch with our traveling group, the Church. The Church community makes the journey easier to bear and helps us when we fall. Finally, we must be willing to leave behind the sins and habits that distract us from the goal. The Sacraments are indispensible in aiding us to overcome our sins. Confession and the Eucharist (food for the journey) give us strength to continue on. Marriage and Holy Orders provide support for us on pilgrimage. All of these things keep us on the journey traveling with our brothers and sisters toward eternal life.
So let us heed the call given to us at our baptism to keep our “lights burning brightly.” We need this light of faith as we travel together through the dark and light, through the good and the bad, with one goal. The goal of being united in the Trinity with each of our fellow pilgrims for all eternity.