The Yin and Yang of Travel
In The Hermetic Writings from the third century we find these words: “Becoming everything is just another method of becoming nothing. If you go far enough east, you’ll arrive at the west. But be careful. The person who says, ‘I am God’ may be a raving egomaniac. If you are everything, or even if you are anything, why say it? Isn’t it better to sit in the back yard, watching God with God’s eyes?”
I doubt that many of us are going to simply sit in the back yard now that summer is here! Most of you, no doubt, will be headed off to exotic locations around the globe. Mary Jo and I are planning on riding our new Harley-Davidson motorcycle up to Maine, then up to Lake Champlain, over to Ontario, and finally down to southwestern Virginia. I am expecting to see a lot of beautiful and wonderful things on my trip. How about you?
Our vacations offer us the luxury of relaxing into time. We step out of the tyranny of regimented workdays and deadlines into freedom that opens our eyes in new ways. By simply being aware of our surroundings and our loved ones we can “watch . . . with God’s eyes” the dance of life as it unfolds around us. This is the active practice of being present.
Our summer trips fulfill a longing for adventure and stimulation. Yet at the same time, residing in our hearts, there is a longing for the comfort and familiarity of home. This is the yin and yang of traveling.
You do have the opportunity to touch your spiritual home when you are away if you have access to the Internet. All you need do is go to www.smtv.org, click on the church graphic or select the “Journey Without Steps” text link. Once on that site, select “Space” and you will find a video clip called “Noonday Bells.” It features St. Mary’s and the Angelus Bells. There are also three photo-collages of the interior of St. Mary’s and four photo-collages of Strawberry Festivals past.
There are no obligations or requirements for using the Journey Without Steps website – it is a service provided for you by the parish.
May you encounter and see God with God’s eyes on your many journeys this summer. May God be with you and hold you in safety in your travels, and may the longing for home be fulfilled as we gather again next fall to share our summer tales and gather round God’s altar.Joel t