Another Way

Sunday’s homily at Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro highlighted the final words of the gospel reading … “The Magi, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, departed for their country by another way.”

Deacon Tim Rohan’s homily highlighted the idea that the birth of Jesus allows us to return to our country … our selves … a bit differently. As we begin the New Year, this is a new opportunity to look at the “way” we have been traveling, and consider if there is “another way” that will better serve the Lord. His sermon was compelling and a perfect start to my personal liturgical year.

When the New Year begins, we make resolutions to change. But the change we want is usually outer-directed … losing weight, getting more fit, quitting a bad habit, being nicer to others. How many times do we look deep inside our selves, really deep … how many times do we look at creating our selves in a new way, not just physically but in a more important way: spiritually? Not often enough, because perhaps we have been almost taught or socialized to look too shallow.

I pray today that as I begin this new year … certainly one year closer to God in lots of different ways … I can look at my “country” anew. My country is my spirit, my heart, my mind and my soul. And I pray that when I find “another way”, it will bring me closer to Jesus.