One of the phrases which has become popular in the literature of spirituality is the spiritual journey.  All of us are on one, of course, even those who do not believe in the Holy Spirit or even the spirit; who believe, in other words, that we human beings are an accidental assemblage of chemicals in an accidental and un-designed cosmos.  The patrons of the spiritual journey are the magi in the Gospel of the Epiphany.

How do you know that we are on a spiritual journey?  A most telling clue is that we become restless and even dissatisfied with our usual routine.  The question at the heart of our life becomes ‘Is this all there is?’  We might even confide to a friend, “I don’t seem to be going anywhere…” This is a very crucial moment because we may make the decision to pray, perhaps even using the approach of the Agnostic’s Prayer [‘Oh God, if there is a God, reveal yourself to me’] and God is bound to answer.

Sometimes we are thrown into the spiritual journey by a collapse, a sickness, an addiction, a huge loss, in other words, a catastrophe which makes staying in our former way of life impossible.  One of the saints we honor after Christmas is St. Thomas Becket, former friend of the king who was martyred by the same king for not going long with royal plans.  He was struck down in the cathedral at Canterbury and his tomb became a famous pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages.  Thomas loved fine wines and good food, enjoyed the prestige of being archbishop, had a dreadful temper.  If he hadn’t been slain by Henry’s knights, there is no way he would have been canonized.

Thomas was on a spiritual journey but not aware of it until death stared him in the face; then he made a decision [that I suspect had been brewing for a long time] in favor of God and against his self-preservation.

Many people get into the spiritual journey because they study or read.  Our magi must have been familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures.  With the knowledge they had and being open to seeking directions, they arrived at their goal, the Infant Christ.

As this New Year begins, we need to realize that the worst thing that could happen to us is that we would be the same people next year at this time, in the same spiritual place, stuck!  Sometimes, sad to say, certain types of religion keep us safe at home and away from the adventure of the open road leading to God.  The Magi say to us this Epiphany and everyday, “Hit the road!  There’s so much more to see, to hear, to touch, to love.  God is very big and the journey into God never ends.  Best to get going NOW!”