The image of journey is deep in the spiritual life. We journey metaphorically and we journey physically. Of course Mary and Joseph, along with throngs of others, were on a journey. They were returning to their hometown from far off places. It was clearly an arduous trip, especially for a very pregnant woman. And then, to finally arrive and have no place to settle in… not a fun journey.
This time of year is when many people are taking trips back to their hometowns. Or at least to their home-people. Yet this year, not so much. At least we hope. We are in the midst of a journey now as a people. Only we are not going anywhere. At least physically. My prayer is that we are journeying deep into our spiritual lives.
Your journey might be one from the head to the heart. Perhaps it’s scoping out the land and seeing that all of life is spiritual. What kind of practices, routines, activities or escapes are part of your life that keeps you connected to that which is bigger than just you? When it feels like you might be going in circles, consider that a spiral is circular but it goes deeper. There are more and more layers of who we are and how we understand the world and its creator. I invite you to be a companion on the journey!