Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 456

Philippine Martyrs

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,

he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem….

 

Although our weekday first readings and gospels have different cycles, it happens that, on this Tuesday, both concern pilgrimages to Jerusalem. The Prophet Zechariah predicted that foreign gentiles with no knowledge of the Lord would come to the Holy City to worship. And Jesus, as Saint Luke tells us, “resolutely determined” to travel to Jerusalem.  (A more literal interpretation: “he set his face for….”)

It so happens – also – that I am presently on vacation in Carey, Ohio, at the shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. I was ordained here in 1975, and served as assistant pastor for several more months. The basilica is dear to my heart, as is the town and its people – though not many remember my brief sojourn. My being here is as much pilgrimage as vacation; I’ve needed to get away for a while.

I have to suspect that the history of pilgrimages is longer than that of exotic vacations and tourism. The planet is dotted with holy cities representing every major and minor religion. Archaeologists tell us of prehistoric holy cities and try to describe their mysterious cults. Individual pilgrims have their own reasons for making the trip. Some are atoning for sin, others seek guidance and direction, many beg for healing and reconciliation, and still others want to feel a closer companionship with the deity. The trips are necessarily long and often difficult. They should feel like sacrifice! The effort will prove the worthiness of the supplicant.

The Prophet Zechariah promised the discouraged exiles as they rebuilt their destroyed city that someday many nations and peoples will come to honor the LORD in Jerusalem. They would admire the residents for their wisdom, piety, and integrity; they would celebrate the wisdom and justice of their God-given laws.

With its Christian traditions the United States inherited the prophet’s expectation. We have hoped our nation would be “a city on a hill,” admired for gathering people of different races, languages, and religions into a citizenry which abides by just laws. We have also hoped the whole world would emulate our democratic principles which recognize everyone as created equal with liberty and justice for all.

Today’s gospel, however, throws a different light on the pilgrimage story. Jesus has set his face for Jerusalem to be arrested, convicted, brutally tortured, and crucified. God’s holy city must become the city of death for God. What could be more ironic? 

It would make no sense if it didn't make perfect sense in the plan of God. Unlike the gods who dwelt in innumerable meccas and were supposed to be powerful, resourceful, and partial to their devotees, Jesus travels with us, a supplicant. Like all pilgrims he will offer a sacrifice, but his will be his own life. 

Our faith, rooted in and drawing inspiration from the Bible, is practiced en route to the Holy City.  It is long and arduous and, if the destination is certain, the route is not. We do not know what challenges we will meet. If we expected an easy road to assurance, the Bible gives us only stories with uncertain outcomes. The Jews did return to the Holy City but it was a ruin. They did reclaim their sovereignty against the Greeks only to hand it over to the Romans -- who razed it when the Jews proved ungovernable. The Lord was raised from the dead but recognized only by a few. 

No one can say they'll be faithful to the end, but we are assured the LORD will never leave us without the guiding light of the Spirit.