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The Southern Cross, Page 4 O ne lone pilgrim, now somewhat infirm, walked in the footsteps of Jesus last week. The world does not usually notice such pilgrims, but this time it did. News coverage of Pope John Paul II’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land eclipsed all other news for a week. Few noticed President Clinton’s state visits to India and Pakistan, but everyone knew that the Holy Father was in Jordan and Israel. Not every papal visit gamers so much atten tion; there have, after all, been so many of them. But this pilgrimage—for so indeed it was— struck a deep chord in the hearts of Christians, Jews, Moslems and others. Perhaps it was the evident spiritual purpose of the visit. Perhaps it was the fulfilment of the age ing pope’s long-frustrated desire to return to the Holy Land, which he had last visited as a young By Ticki Lloyd h, springtime! My heart pounds out a song and overwhelms my imagination. Spring has a way of releasing my soul to renewed hope. If I were to describe my spiritual condition as a season of the year, it would surely be spring. The day is promising. I dash out side to greet the flowers in my gar den. My eyes catch sparks of light covering the grass after last night’s heavy rain. My ears capture pearls of water wrestling to be free from a leaky faucet. I’m so happy, I want to embrace all of God’s creation. My love of flowers didn’t just “happen.” I grasped the significance of flowers long before I was knee- high to a buttercup. Sometimes I believe I was bom snuggling a petu nia in my chubby hand. If I feel down about myself, I move away from judging myself and thank God for what he has done for me. In my heart, mind and soul I know God is with me in every circumstance. If I’m going Commeimtaffy A defining moment bishop during Vatican II. Perhaps it was the enormous respect and importance accorded by Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians to this pope, not just because of his high office, but because he, too, had suffered under Nazi and Communist regimes and understands at a deep, personal level the human cost of political strife. His solidarity with all who have suffered such strife is com- pellingly evident. Even those critical of his pre decessors’ diplomacy acknowledge the enormous moral authority of this Successor to Saint Peter, an authority respected by both believers and non believers because it rests on a personal integrity beyond question. Although mutual suspicions between Moslems and Jews will probably not disappear or even diminish very noticeably in the near term, the fact that both groups could look with respect to Springtime Thursday, March 30, 2000 the world’s foremost Christian leader and even sit down to dialogue with him and with each other cannot hurt the somewhat tattered peace process. This particular papal visit differed from most in that its most powerful moments took place in silence, at the Western (Wailing) Wall and at Church of the Holy Sepulcher, to which the pope made an unscheduled revisit before returning to Rome. The silence of the pope’s prayerful visits spoke more eloquently than any words could have done. It will be hard not to compare any future papal visits to this pilgrimage, which already seems destined to become the landmark of such visits. The quiet effect of the lone pilgrim will live on. —DKC unafraid to travel the world. We hear the sounds of God in nature. We listen to his tiny, feath ered creatures singing from tree branches. We see butterflies kissing flower blooms reminding us of angels floating through space. We gaze at people and recognize them as God’s creations. Each person, though different, is the same in spirit. God knows no strangers. We are created in his divine image. It is impossible to understand what motivates the actions of oth ers. They may or may not be aware that something they have said or done, has caused us emotional pain. We do know that God loves them and he loves us. Each day is a new beginning. Let’s not get caught up in regrets about what we have done or have not done. It’s time to move forward and leave the past behind. After all, it’s springtime! Ticki Lloyd is a member of Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Brunswick. through a time such as the death of my brother, Bernard Michael Moore and my niece, Sister Mary Moore, CSJ, within a month, I need peace. Rather than focusing on why this happened, if I turn within myself, I am enfolded in the love and care of God. Wouldn’t life be easier if every situation had defined rules? If we knew in advance the result of our actions, we would look to God for direction and follow his guidance. A good way out of confusion is to ask God for solutions. Did you ever ask for advice and later you get the feeling it was not right for you? We could find a better way to receive guidance by talking to God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. The power of God’s wisdom will never lead us astray. Our faith in God should be a con tinuous growing, opening our soul to him. He knows us and he believes in us. If we become quiet, which is difficult to do in the mad reflections rush of living, we can feel God’s presence. We can release hurts, dis appointments, regrets and shame and return to tranquility. With God, everything is possible, even the seemingly impossible. We have a choice of endless possibilities that only God can provide. When we’re not sure we have God in our lives, God can show us a greater love than any love we have experienced. Every day we should thank God for life. In all experiences, joyful or painful, God is there to strengthen and comfort us. When I think about the many people who have enriched my life, I put them in my prayers each day. And, I thank God that they had a positive influence in my life. Prayer is resounding around the world. Nations are uniting in prayer and faith. We owe Pope John Paul II a debt of gratitude for his untiring efforts promoting peace and unity in the world. He doesn’t just “talk.” He “walks” the “talk.” He is the world’s foremost evangelizer, 601 E. Liberty St. Savannah, GA 31401-5196 Thanks Dear Editor, Thank you for your dedication to our Church and to our Holy Father in Rome. Your editorials are always inspiring and relevant. I greatly appreciate your unrc . ained defense of the faith. Patrick Fetter Saint Simons Island Overseas Appeal Bishop J. Kevin Boland recei ed the following letter, dated March 16, 2000, j >m Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishop Dear Bishop Boland, On April 1 and 2 many dioceses will take up Letters the annual American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal, which helps fund the work of Catholic Relief Services, our Migration and Refugee Services and Department of Social Development and World Peace, and the Holy Father’s Relief Fund. As we approach this year’s collection I wanted to thank the Diocese of Savannah for its generous donation of $36,299.81 to the 1999 appeal. Your contribu tion to the American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal helps these organizations to continue their good works in a world of growing need. It is only with the support of the people of the Diocese of Savannah that we are able to pro vide food, agricultural equipment, health care, education and development loans for those in need. Your donations also allow us to provide FAX: (912) 238-2339 E-mail: DClark5735 @ aol.com assistance to migrants and refugees in search of new homes in the United States, and to advo cate for just laws and policies affecting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. In this year of Jubilee with your help we made signifi cant strides in responding to our Holy Father’s call to relieve the debt of the poorest countries. On behalf of all those we assist, thank you for “Answering the Call to Global Solidarity.” I ask that you help us to continue to “Provide Hope in the New Millennium” through your support of this year’s campaign. Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Rev. Joseph A. Fiorenza Bishop of Galveston-Houston