July 15, St. Bonaventure

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth. — Psalm 102:20 

Mass Readings: Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19 / Matthew 11:28-30 

A Pilgrim in Jerusalem 

Ten years ago this summer, I combined travel with pilgrimage when my Jewish wife and I visited her cousins in Israel. We had family time in Galilee, visiting many local tourist sites. Then, for a few days, my wife and I visited and explored Jerusalem. That’s when I put on, metaphorically, my pilgrim hat. 

The highlight of my pilgrimage was a Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Catholics often make pilgrimages to venerate the body of a holy person, the celebrant said in his homily. Jerusalem is the only place where we celebrate the absence of a body. And yet, he pointed out, members of the Mystical Body of Christ had gathered to celebrate this Mass, and the bread about to be consecrated would become the Body of Christ. 

Prayer: Body of Christ, be with me on my earthly pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem.