For Others (Today’s Pilgrim Challenge)

Often times we are the center of our lives. That sounds normal right?  Well, maybe I should put it this way: often times we are the center of the universe, or we see ourselves as such.  A few of our students have started to see this mentality in their own hearts as they pull away from it.  Our path to holiness is a journey from pride to humility.  It is a journey from the world revolving around us (my wants, my ability to prayer, I want silence, I want to see, etc.) to us revolving around God (and thanking him for the gifts of everything that comes before us).  Like Jordi noted from the old man, the man’s response wasn’t self-centered, it was directed outward.  It wasn’t about him, it was a reaction of love, even in a situation where he was ‘wronged’.  Christ was wronged. So many times.  Yet he loved.  Many times over.  We are weak. So weak, such sinners. We wrong Christ all the time.  Thankfully he doesn’t act in a way that tosses us out into the darkness and wailing of teeth.  Others have noted this transition in their hearts by starting to say thank you, or realizing loud tours have just as much right to visit the holy places of God as we do.

Our challenge today is to devote all we do, all our thoughts, all our struggles, all our movements of the heart for others.  Every physical thing, and every reaction, to step out of the initial “my way” sentiment and into a for them prayer.  A group walks in that distracts me, I will pray for them, wonder what’s going on in their heart, and dedicate this time to their soul.  Prayer for their growth in holiness.  And maybe by loving them, you will find yourself more filled with love.  Offer your walk, short or long, to a fellow pilgrim, or someone back home.  Dedicate your next visit to a holy site to a friend or family member.  Instead of holding onto a pain, or an anger, let it go.  It’s more fruitful to your soul and to theirs to love them, pray for them, and thank God for them and the opportunity for them and you to be here, no matter how holy they are, or how much they still have to grow.

So today’s challenge is be God-centered, and make the move to that mentality any time you find that you are being ‘self-centered’ (me, my, I). Offer up the day for others. Remember we are all sinners, and we all need grace to get better. So love every time you find yourself wanting to hate.