A New Journey

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE

Today we are reminded that the Magi left the comforts of their homeland to travel to an unknown destination in search of a newborn king. It strikes me that this much like our own journey in search of the meaning of life. We may not have a star in the night sky that guides us, but we have faith that prompts us to keep searching, sometimes blindly, sometimes with a sense of purpose.

This journey is long therefore we are not to take much baggage as we may be weighed down. Yes, the baggage of life, the past hurts, resentments, the disappointments, our own failures. the perceived failures of others, all of these must left behind if we are going to complete the trip to the destination. The journey will be long, and not without challenges. We may become thirsty and hungry. We may become delusional in seeing mirages symbolizing what may seem as true and fulfilling. But, we carry on sometimes with speed, other times trudging through the deep desert sand. However, we are not alone for we need assistance. Here we look to the animal that carried the wiseman.

OF CAMELS

And what is this animal that carries us, but the camel. Well suited for the journey storing food and the baggage that we heap upon it, the camel also represents our prayer life and our need for God as well. In a brilliant analogy Dr. Bob one of original cofounders of AA explained the connection between prayer and camels the following manner:

"camels in a caravan would kneel down in the evening, and the men would unload their burdens. In the morning, they would kneel down again, and the men would put the burdens back on. ’It’s the same with prayer,’ Dr. Bob said. ’We get on our knees to unload at night. And in the morning when we get on our knees again, God gives us just the load we are able to carry for that day.’" Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers (1980), page 229 (retrieved from Alcohol Self-Help News, 1/7/2018)

STARTING ANEW

Since the Epiphany represents a new beginning, I found that it was necessary for me to review my own life and my relationships. I need to take this journey now, seeking guidance from the star, unloading that which weighs me down. No New Years resolutions which I find shallow and full of self-centeredness, but a true birth of a new and better attitude, and deeper prayer.  Discarding that which are obstacles to my destination and finding the newborn Jesus in all things. May your own faith journey be blessed with new beginnings this year.