Bishop Robert Morneau

We are all pilgrim people on a journey

August 27, Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time

	Questions for reflection: 1. Do you view your life as a pilgrimage? 2. Which of the four elements of a pilgrimage is most fully developed in your life, which least? 3. Is there an opposition between being a steward and a pilgrim?

In our search for identity here are some possible alternatives (or combinations): we are wounded healers (Henri Nouwen), we are immortal diamonds (G.M. Hopkins), we are entrusted gardeners (Antonio Machado), we are accidental tourists (Anne Tyler), we are struggling pilgrims.

To be sure we are all on a journey, we are all pilgrims. And here are the four elements of a pilgrimage: singleness of purpose; freedom from distractions; ordeal or penance; offering. (cf. Houston Smith)

Jesus blazed the trail. His focus was on God's will, and he tells us in today's reading that all comes from the Father. Our Lord did not allow the distractions of this world - pleasure, power, prestige, possession - to take him off course. Ordeal and suffering abounded, and when he spoke about the cross and denial, the hard sayings, many walked away. And, finally, he offered himself entirely to the work of the kingdom with unreserved abandonment.

At times we murmur, like the disciples did, when we are reminded about the very meaning of our discipleship. It is good, even during summer days, to recall that we are on pilgrimage, sometimes to Rome, sometimes to Robinsonville, sometimes to the solitude of our prayer corner.

Single-mindedness! In a complex world with many irons in the fire it is difficult to keep focus on what is really important. With the many demands of family and work, we feel scattered and dissipated. It is difficult to distinguish between needs and wants; it is a struggle to put first things first. We are called time and time again to come back to the one thing necessary: receiving and giving love, the love the Father gives to us. All else is secondary.

Freedom from distraction! On Aug. 15, people set out from Robinsonville to celebrate the feast of the Assumption. For a few hours all distractions are set aside as people gather to honor Mary and her triumphant return to the Father. For a portion of the day the only thing that matters is to join the community and the communion of saints in worship and praise. A small freedom from distraction it is but a precious one. Through such experiences one can begin to develop a lifestyle, one of faith, that is free from unnecessary distractions.

Ordeal or penance! Life is tough. All of us contend with suffering and death, with various types of pain and agony. Some of the ordeal comes from nature and other circumstances, some are of our making because of sin and wasted lives. It is not surprising in the Gospel reading that many walked away from the Lord and the type of life he invited the people to share. Dying and rising is so contrary to the cultural paradigm presented to us: "We are here to be entertained." Jesus says we are here to have fullness of life, which involves painful transformation.

Offering! On pilgrimage we bring our minds, hearts, treasure. We are called to be stewards of all that God has given us. Nothing is ultimately our own. All is given in trust and we are responsible for the proper use and sharing of all our gifts. And, like Jesus, the most important offering is the gift of ourselves.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese.)