Today’s Readings (Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 18:35-43)
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So much of Luke’s Gospel is given its structure from the theme of journey. From chapter 9 to the culmination of the Gospel narrative, Jesus “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” Jesus had so firmly set his face to Jerusalem because “the days for his being take up were fulfilled” (9:51).
This is the end for which Jesus came, the purpose of his mission from God to this world, the goal that gives ultimate significance to everything that goes before. Jesus came in order to give his life as a gift of love to God the Father for us in the sacrifice of the cross.
The month of November, beginning with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, is about our human journey and its ultimate destination.
In the ultimate destiny of Jesus we discover the ultimate direction for our lives. Our lives are about making of them the best and most complete gift of love to God for the sake of the human family. In the saints, we rejoice in gifts fully given and embraced in the eternal love of God. In the souls of our departed loved ones, we continue to respond to the call to help them in completing their total gift of self to God.
In the middle of our journey, in our own Jericho, we find ourselves crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” and saying, “Lord, please let me see!”
Lord, today let me see the ultimate goal of my life’s journey. Let me see clearly that I am made for eternity in God’s embrace of love and that I arrive there by finding ways, every day, to give my life in love to others.
Father Anthony Oelrich is pastor of Christ Church Newman Center, the Church of St. Augustine, and rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He also serves as Director of Continuing Education for clergy in the St. Cloud Diocese.