The Holy Longing

I try to spend one day a week 'away' -- at a retreat center -- to pray, read, and respond to the Holy Longing within me. This is also the title of a book by Ronald Rolheiser. In the chapter on the Paschal Mystery there is much similarity between the work of William Bridges Transitions and the Triduum and Great Fifty Days. It seems sabbath gives one the space to rediscover and live with those deaths in our lives which have not been fully mourned, and room to live into the new spirit that God gives one during life's journey.

On another subject...last weekend I experienced the gift of hospitality from St. Richard Episcopal Church in Chicago. During the 2 day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer there were several rest stops along the way (one between every 1.5 to 3 miles). Of all the churches we passed (and there were several!), only one offered it's hospitality to the thousands of men and women who walked by -- St. Richard's. Their Third Sunday String Band played, which encouraged us and lightened our feet; they invited us to write on a list the names of those for whom we wished them to pray; there were stickers we could complete and wear: "My hero is ---"; and their smiling faces and verbal encouragement were a great testimony to the value of welcoming the stranger. It would be wonderful if churches sought out opportunities like the Avon Walk -- or something else -- that would share the Peace of Christ with those who are strangers. It's good to get outside our doors and let the people of God know we love them!