Bill Harkins - August 11, 12:08 a.m.
We are wrapping up our Assisi leg. Yesterday we walked up the mountain Francis took his followers to pray. 2 miles up a very steep incline, tough but worth it. We attended Mass up there. We moved on for a whirlwind tour of major St Francis sites. Seeing the uncorrupted body of St. Clare was amazing. We are heading to Rome this morning! God Bless, Bill
Dan Johnson - Peace - August 11, 4:47 p.m.
Peace is illusive. What does it feel like? Where is it? How can I get it?
We woke up this morning and walked up a mountain in silence. When we stepped outside we were surprised to find that it was cool, very cool, brisk even. Then we walked. It was a long walk and as I prayed, I prayed for these teens and all those at McGill. I thought about walking up this mountain. Michael, Connor, Shannon, Maegan, Callie, Elizabeth, Clare, Savannah, Gaillard, Lindsey and our adopted member Jenna were all so excited to do this. Even as they became more and more tired they were happy. Even as we climbed and the road twisted up and the sun was warming they hiked at a quick pace- excited! They were excited to experience something new. They anticipated the beauty, the joy, and the peace. All of this began the thought- We are headed to heaven.
The hike was difficult for sure. We walked to a hermitage where Francis and his brothers would go to get away from the hustle and bustle of Assisi. (hard to think of Assisi as busy I know...but for them it was!) Each one as they arrived at the hermitage were breathing heavy as Maegan said, "I can't believe I did that...and I kept up with the runners!" Then off to mass, partaking in the heavenly feast on a mountain where Francis would celebrate with his brothers! Cool!
Now, heaven is what is hoped for. The beauty, joy, and peace of Heaven! The journey, much like ours, will be difficult. But the promise is glorious, the hope for heaven, being united with the communion of saints praising God for eternity! The anticipation and the excitement combined with faith and the grace of God will get us there! Today in a small way was a journey to heaven. Through the challenges the hike presented we persevered in prayer in joyous anticipation of the experience of Holy Communion. Often times looking ahead they would see someone pushing fowrad and would be encouraged to do e same. Apply this to our lives and we have the beginning of the formula. Then what? Well today's Gospel (which I did not realize yesterday) and the subsequent homily was on the paradox. The journey is hard to be sure, and so to live we must die!
As we closed the day having hiked, seen the Portiuncula, prayed in front of incorrupt St. Clare and the tomb of St. Francis, and finished with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament we talked about about this recurring theme- the Paradox. We think perhaps the Holy Spirit is saying something! Perhaps peace is in our hearts waiting to be awakened by God's love. Ever present we must surrender ourselves, die to ourselves and open our hearts to him- there is freedom, there is his love, there is peace!
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