A couple of days ago Pope Benedict visited the Shroud of Turin. He did so not as a camera-wielding tourist but as a faithful pilgrim. You can tell because of the beautiful reflection he offered there.
As we leave this Holy Land in a couple of hours I thought it helpful to give the last word of this stage of our own OLV pilgrimage to the pope. He mentions places we have seen: Calvary, and the nearby tomb given by Joseph of Aramathea.
As the pope notes, the eyes of faith make all the difference: a cynic visiting the shroud or this Holy Land would focus on denying the connection with a historical reality or event. The pilgrim comes with open mind and heart, expecting Jesus to speak through something that may even be a replica (of the shroud as the pope notes).
I invite you to reflectively consider this beautiful meditation from Pope Benedict. Read it slowly, and know that he is speaking to your (my) own reality - especially offering words of hope to every experience of suffering in your own life.
Pope Benedict & the Shroud of Turin
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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Thanks John.
ReplyDeleteBy now, hopefully, you are safely in Rome, and continuing the Pilgrimage. Thank you for all the daily reflections, and for walking us through the Holy Land with you.
We look forward to completing the journey through you.
The news today said that the volcanic ash was again closing down airports in Ireland and Scotland, and possibly England too, although they didn't expect the chaos of last month.
I do hope you got through Munich ok on the pathway to Rome. I also hope the six others have joined with you now. What a reunion!!
Love to all.
Marie