"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" – St. Augustine
I first visited Rome at the start of 2009 to celebrate my Mum’s birthday. I returned again at the end of that year on pilgrimage with friends from Washington DC. Both of these trips were wonderful and secured a fondness in my heart for both Italy in general, and for its historic capital in particular.
Before I left San Diego, I had the opportunity to go to the Outcry Tour where the band Elevation performed. Today’s song was my favourite from their set, O Come to the Altar:
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Oh what a Savior
Isn’t he wonderful
Sing alleluia, Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia, Christ is risen
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you’ve found
I recently came across this website by Chris Carter where he outlines St. Ignatius of Loyola’s approach to Spiritual Growth. The strategy offered here is not only effective, but also applicable outside the realm of spiritual growth:
If you’re fortunate enough to live in San Diego this summer, you will have been able to attend the Catholic Answers “Summer Series”, a collection of talks offered by Catholic Answers speakers at different churches around the Diocese. For those of you not living in that part of the country (or world!) those talks are available online by clicking the link below:
I do love contemporary Christian music, but it is pretty spot-on:
The other day I was sitting in a church which I normally don’t visit, the Immaculate Conception in Old Town, San Diego. After communion I was looking at the crucifix behind the altar and saw the words “Resurrexit Sicut Dixit” written above it. Rather embaressingly, it occurred to me that I couldn’t say for certain what the English translation of these words should be. I’m always amazed at the number of times I come across things while visiting an unfamiliar church building. Good to see all that money spent on my Catholic education didn’t go to waste!
Come now, turn aside for a while from your daily employment. Escape for a moment from the tumult of your thoughts. Put aside your weighty cares, let your burdonsome distractions wait. Free yourself awhile for God and rest awhile in Him.
– St. Anselm
