Hope is not the end of the spiritual journey. If there is to be a journey at all, hope comes at the beginning, carrying us through even when all seems lost.
[image_frame style=”framed” alt=”Fra Angelico. The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs, ca. 1423-24. ” title=”Fra Angelico. The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs, ca. 1423-24. “]https://flcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/All-Saints-e1447193945508.jpg[/image_frame]
Is it possible that we already saints, made so by God?
[image_frame style=”framed” align=”left” alt=”Le Cantique des cantiques III, 1960. Chagall.” title=”Le Cantique des cantiques III, 1960. Chagall.” height=”145″ width=”205″]https://flcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cantique-des-cantiques-iii.jpeg[/image_frame]
God’s presence comes to us through ordinary human experiences.
[image_frame style=”framed” align=”left” alt=”Ordinary 21, by John Stuart, stushieart.com” title=”Ordinary 21, by John Stuart. stushieart.com (used with permission)” height=”265″ width=”205″]https://flcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3835213626_9d1d68781f_z.jpg[/image_frame]
Many of Jesus’ followers are abandoning him, then as today. HIs question to his closest disciples is one also addressed to us today: “Do you also want to go away?”
[image_frame style=”framed” align=”left” alt=”The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1669. Rembrandt. ” title=”The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1669. Rembrandt.” height=”252″ width=”205″]https://flcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son-1669.jpg[/image_frame]
We all want to feel comfortable going home, but pain and misunderstanding can make that difficult. The Gospel shows us the way of grace and repentance that makes homecoming possible.
There is no shortcut through many of the forms of suffering we encounter and endure in this life. Healing is promised: but sometimes it takes a long time.