Our Focus (Today’s Pilgrim Challenge)

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“I Choose to”

Sometimes, We keep a quote or phrase in mind as motivation for ourselves.  I remember seeing the movie Invictus about South Africa rugby and Nelson Mandela.  He had memorized the peom titled Invictus and it helped him have hope while in prison.  Well, we did something similar.  When discussing and preparing for pilgrimage, we prayed about a word or phrase that would be our focus for the pilgrimage. Our motto. That thing to refer back to often throughout the pilgrimage. When things get tough, to keep it in mind and say it again to help us stay centered on Christ and our pilgrimage and what it is truly all about.

Today’s challenge is for each of us to keep our focus word or phrase at the front of our minds as often as we can, and to do all things “through” that phrase. Say it, pray it, and repeat it before everything we do.  As we walk out the door in the morning, repeat the word or phrase a few times, then pray to God and ask for his grace to live it, understand it, and live the day “through it”.  When we visit a Church, wait in a line, eat our lunch, walk from place to place, hold conversation with friends, keep in mind that phrase and do everything today through it.

So when I step out and know I will be going on a long walk this morning to St. Peter’s, I will begin with “all this for the king” and pray it and reflect on it as often as I can in the walk.  When I speak to my fellow pilgrims, I will dedicate the conversation, “All this for the King.”  When I go to the Papal audience, and listen to the Italian and wish it was English, “All this for the King.” And when we have time to pray, I will reflect, “God I know why I wanted to choose this phrase, what do You want to reveal to me through it?” As often as we can, repeat that phrase.

THEN take it to prayer today. You chose that phrase, in prayer. Now, in prayer, ask God what He wants to reveal to you about that phrase. Why did He choose it?  What does He want to reveal to you about yourself or your relationship with Him with that phrase?  He might have something to reveal to you about that choice that you didn’t know!

Our sharing of graces and struggles tonight will center around our word or phrase.

I invite all of you back home to unite your prayers and hearts with ours and to try to live the same challenge at home.  Use your own, or ask your son/family member/friend to share with you his word and try to live the day through it!

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 2:50 AM

    Amen - then pray to God and ask for his grace to live it, understand it, and live the day “through it" Praying for continued safe travels.

    ReplyDelete

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