I walked to mass this morning, and I don’t live “right around the block” from my parish church.  Before anyone is too impressed, let me say that it was a kind of self-imposed penance after a lazy weekend of over-indulgence and indiscriminate eating.  My thought was that a walk to church would do me some good, both physically and mentally, so off I went on the 3 mile trip (one way) to make the 8 am liturgy.

Starting out, I thought to myself that this whole idea was kind of “fun” – that I could really make a morning of it by going to Starbucks or Barnes & Noble after mass was finished. (oops- I forgot money).  The air was crisp and cool, and I didn’t mind all the drivers rushing past on their first morning back to work after a holiday weekend.  My pace got me right to the church on time, and I entered the nice cool building feeling a little stiff but grateful to be there.

When mass was over, I began the walk home by cutting through the parking lot and passing a statue of the Holy Family, with Jesus looking to be about the age of 7 or 8, a time in his life on which Sacred Scripture is silent.  Passing that image and beginning the walk home got me thinking about Joseph and Mary and all the traveling they had to do early on in their family life.  Between registering for the census, fleeing to Egypt, and settling in Nazareth, they must have been worn out with all the walking/donkey riding that they had to contend with.  Suddenly, my little self-imposed penance seemed incredibly trivial.

And what about Jesus and the disciples, walking from town to town and shaking the dust off their feet and sandals when the townspeople would not accept them.  Sandals – are you kidding me?  I had on a pair of $50 walking shoes and still felt practically crippled by the time I got home.  And Abraham – being told by God to leave his home and go to a place that God would reveal to him?  I just don’t know if I could do it, not knowing my destination.  At least when you walk to and from church you know your destination, about how long it takes to get there, and what awaits you once you arrive.

That walk home gave me plenty to think about, and plenty for which to be grateful.  Try it sometime, and with each step say a prayer of thanks to those of faith who persevered long before there were bikes, cars, and Starbucks.

Chick B