Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Ephesians 2:19-22 | Psalm 18(19):2-5 | Luke 6:12-16
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. (Ephesians 2:19)
(Thanks and credit to Teresa Hoe for today’s photos.)
For each of the past few years, I’ve traveled with varied groups of pilgrims to different destinations: the Holy Land, Turkey, Greece, Spain, the UK, etc. Each year, I’d meet a few familiar faces and a slew of strangers.
Inevitably, we’d all be confused and a little on edge for the first few days, surrounded by strange stuff and unfamiliar people.
Who are you? Who am I? What are we doing here?
But as time passes, and with each communal meal…
Hungry lah, no time for photos!
and sufficient alcoholic lubricant…
Oh yeah, four pints should do it…but one more couldn’t hurt.
we begin to get comfortable with each other…
Wah, so COLD! Quick, squeeze together and share body heat!
and loosen up a little…
Why is everyone looking up? Trying to prank me, is it?
OW! Who put that thumbtack on my seat?!?!
and finally become more-or-less one.
Hey, where’s the bus?!?!
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Our progress through life is largely the same: We meet new people along the way, become friends with some, get ticked off by others. We get to know each others’ strengths and foibles, and in some cases might wish we’d never crossed paths.
But in faith we are one, and so despite our grievances and reservations, we journey in the same direction, towards God and His kingdom.
We try on the cloak of patience with people who try our patience.
We help those who have trouble helping themselves.
We support each other as we each become supports in God’s holy temple.
As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22)
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When I started this blog just over a year ago, I took the slogan “Traveling with the Lord (and a crappy camera)” literally, intending it as living documentation of my travels abroad. As you can probably tell from the last few hundred entries, I don’t take the “traveling” part literally any more.
Each day, I take a few more steps along the Camino de Dios1, and journal my progress along the way. Please say a little prayer for my safe and faithful journey, as I say a little prayer for all of you along the way.
Lord, I’m coming home to You. I don’t know how long it’ll take, nor how many pits I’ll fall into along the way, but with Your love and protection, I’ll stay the course, fight the good fight against the Evil One, and bring along as many companions as I can. Help me never lose hope, for it is You whom my heart longs. Amen.