With Faces Set toward Jerusalem

As we enter into the last weeks of Lent, we walk with our Lord as He set His face toward Jerusalem where He enters into the unfolding of His Paschal Mystery, the outpouring of His love in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. My dear friends, we walk with Him and relish His company and hang on to His every word. We gaze deeply into His face that, although beaten and disfigured by the blows of His suffering, remains the most beautiful countenance that radiates love and mercy for each of us.

We walk with Him through the wilderness of this world that is rife with violence, bloodshed , temptation and sin. We see that where His feet tread the earth is sanctified and oases of grace are planted where we can drink deeply of the springs of His mercy.

On the horizon we see the outline of the Holy City and we know that there by His submitting to the Father’s love and will, salvation is won for us.  We journey with Him to the place of His Sacrifice. We come with Him to the Upper Room where He institutes for all ages the Sacrament that makes this Sacrifice present for us on the altars of the Church.  We come to the altar to be united with the great deed of sacrificial love and we receive the very Body and Blood of the Savior given to us by His own hand.

Yes, we walk with Him to Jerusalem, the City of Peace, where we enter into the Mystery that saves all, heals all and gives all hope. Come, let us set our faces toward Jerusalem!
 
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh