The Shepherd has landed ... now the Shepherd has departed our city for another few days in the USA. For those who have journeyed with Pope Benedict these past few days, the message in John's gospel for today's liturgy is suitable for us. "I am the way and the truth and the life." This is the gift given us by our Holy Father in each of the "moments" when he shared his personal reflections. "Christ our Hope" becomes a reality for us when we are willing to accept Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
Surely each of the Holy Father's talks contained challenges -- insights we may not fully comprehend on hearing. Time and study of his words may help our American Catholic Church enter again into a time of renewal. Again turning to today's gospel reading, we hear sentiments that echo the comfort of the Pope and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II and Jesus himself: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me." Once again our spiritual leader came to encourage us, to call us to the Father through our deeper awareness of Jesus Christ and the content of our faith: "No one comes to the Father except through me," Jesus tells us.
Today Pope Benedict's personal journey to Washington ends and he continues on to the Big Apple. He will continue the opening of America to Jesus as well as to himself. But you and me? What happens to our spiritual journey now? Just as follows any trip, we return to the normal, everyday life. Just as follows any journey, we begin to relive the events that captured our minds and hearts. Now comes an important time. Now we begin to listen to our heats. What do we bring back to our daily lives from only two fully-packed days of hearing and watching the Vicar of Christ while here with us? What are the pictures in your mind's camera that speak out to you? Why are they significant? What words or thoughts have remained with you? What is their special meaning to you?
St. Paul's journey, as a missionary, recorded in St. Luke's Acts of the Apostles, reflects the Holy Father's visit here. He came to remind us that Jesus is our salvation, our hope. In times of trouble, in moments of confusion, in emptiness, in times of change, there is one rock solid help that supports us. Christ Jesus, risen, is our hope. In him is our salvation; in him is our peace, our joy. And, by the way, please don't think this to be an elitist writing these last few sentences!
