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Dear Friends in Christ,

Those beautiful words, ÒCome, follow me,Ó were first spoken to St. Matthew, as we have heard in this morningÕs Gospel.

But as with all the words of our Lord, they are also meant for us, and in every circumstance of our life.

He called us to follow Him when we were baptized, speaking for many of us through the loving voices of our parents, for others through the encouraging voices of friends, and for some, through the voice that comes with searching, the voice of the mind and the mindÕs curiosity.

He called us to follow Him when He led us into the path of life that has been revealed to us Ð marriage, the priesthood, the single life.

He called us to follow Him on this pilgrimage, where He has led our footsteps to some of the most impressive and moving sights we will experience during our lifetimes.

And now, He calls us to follow Him home Ð back to the land of our usual lives Ð back to the place where we are secure and comfortable.

But He calls us to more as well Ð He calls us to use the graces we have received on this spiritual journey for the good of others. He said, ÒI did not come to call the righteous but sinners.Ó We have learned that we need the Lord, that we are sinners, that our souls fail Ð and we have learned that we are a Church, a community of men and women linked for all time in His unfailing love. This means we must be help one another to find the LordÕs call as well. Someone back at home is listening for the call, but perhaps their ear is turned in the wrong direction, or perhaps the clamor surrounding their normal activities is too great a din, for the LordÕs voice to penetrate.

So let us promise, that in the days ahead, we will think back on the spiritual gains of this pilgrimage, not as treasures to keep, but treasure to share. And by sharing the graces we have received through prayer, and through acts of friendship, let us hope that the Holy Spirit will use us Ð that in our voices, that in our actions, that in the visible love of our hearts, someone who needs to, will hear the voice of the Lord, saying, ÒCome, follow me,Ó and that when it happens, we will be there to help.

And as we follow the Lord home today, let us also ask His Blessed Mother, and our Mother in Faith, to protect us, and to bring us safely to our homes and our loved ones.

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