Un recordatorio de nuestra propia pobreza

A veces, durante los peregrinajes, es fácil pasar por alto lo más importante: la Santa Misa. No es intencional: simplemente sucede así. La Misa suele celebrarse temprano por la mañana, seguida de un día completo de viajes y visitas a lugares de interés. Más de una vez, he oído a alguien decir: “¡Eso fue esta mañana!” cuando se menciona la Misa en el autobús. Basta decir que nuestros días están llenos de experiencias increíbles.

With that said, Holy Mass this morning resonated with me throughout the day in a unique way. Fr. Dennis Kasule, our fearless leader this pilgrimage, preached on the Gospel from St. Luke on the poor widow’s offering (Lk 21:1-4). He invited us to consider how we can make an offering like the poor widow, from our poverty, not from our excesses. Throughout the trip, we often become more deeply aware of our own poverty our personal weaknesses. Some of us are tired, others are fighting colds (myself included), and some are simply struggling with the challenges that come with living in close proximity to 35 men. Fr. Kasule invited us to lay these struggles before the altar of the Lord in a few minutes of silence, and I felt the Spirit moving in our group profoundly.

After Holy Mass, we left from Colossae to visit three of the Churches from the book of  Revelation. We saw the ruins of the churches of Philadelphia, Sardis, and Smyrna. Though little remains of some of these churches, it was a joy to read the relevant passages from Revelation at those sites. During our Midday Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the antiphon, “I am poor, but the Lord takes care of me,” rang in my heart. The pilgrimage for me today was more spiritual than normal, and the biggest surprise had not come yet.

Our final stop of the day was at the Cathedral of St. John in Izmir. This was the first active parish church we had visited in a week, and it felt like the Lord brought a breath of fresh air to the group. We spent about half an hour in the church, praying before the Blessed Sacrament and singing His praises during Evening Prayer. This was truly a gift, and a gentle reminder of our Lord’s loving presence at all times, especially when we feel our weaknesses most. The spirits in the group remain high as we are excited to visit Ephesus tomorrow!

Know of our prayers for you. May God the Father bless you, and keep you close to His Son’s Most Sacred Heart.

-Luke Meyerhoff, Diocese of Wichita