On Pilgrimage With Bill: June 2014

Welcome

This is a blog that I post to several times a week although not necessarily daily. These reflections are triggered by the scripture found in the lectionary used by many Christian denominations. While I am part of the Catholic tradition, these posts are not --or rarely--sectarian. I try to put myself in the space of a of Jesus Christ and listen to words that come to me as I read and pray the scriptures. Each post also includes a photograph. These rarely have any connection to the content of the post but are simply pleasing images that I capture as I make my pilgrimage through life.

You might find it helpful to read the initial blog which gives a better idea of the purpose of the blog.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Faith, real faith, is the key

Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened. Matthew 8:12

The miracles that Jesus performed were not so much demonstrations of his power although that is typically what we were taught and what we continue to believe. Little surprise that we do since it is much easier to believe that the "Son of God" has the power to heal us than to believe that it is our faith in the Divine One and the Word of the Divine One that heal us. It is more comfortable to somehow think that we need to convince the Divine One to take saving action in our lives than to realize that our faith is what saves us.

The only prayer that makes any sense is a prayer for faith, a personal relationship with the Divine One which changes us and everything in our lives. The photo above contains both the beauty and the ugliness and the randomness of life, my life. The divine One is in each and every piece of my life and yearns to transform me into the beauty that has always been my truest self. If only, I can say yes.

Friday, June 27, 2014

I am back blogging.

The old hydro generating building at Lock 33 on the Erie Canal

It has been almost a year since I last posted here. I intend to begin publishing one or two a week as reflections on the daily scripture readings from the lectionary. I can't remember now exactly why I stopped but it was a conscious decision rather than inattention. I did become busy with a community organizing effort in Rochester. In truth I became too busy and over committed. There is only so much time available to and some things had to take a back seat. This blog was one of them.

I don't think anyone missed it. I had no followers and almost no indication that anyone was reading it. No matter that. I primarily write this to help me reflect on the daily readings and focus on an insight or thought for my own life as someone who tries to follow the way of Jesus the Christ.

I will continue as I have with a photo or image which I have made along with a quote from scripture and then a reflection or observation. Sometimes there will be a connection between the image and the reflection but not necessarily. Also I do not intend that this will be a daily blog. During the time I was active with posting, it average about two posts a week. That seems about right.