Holy Angels Anglican Church
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
(August 9, 2026)
St. Luke 19:41-47a
Journeys
Given by: The Rev. Fr. Vincent J. Varnas
Unless you have spent your life living under a rock, you probably have been on a journey somewhere at some time in your life. And you know that there are temporal journeys and there are spiritual journeys. Let’s consider both in the context of today’s Gospel reading about Jesus’ journey from Jerusalem to Jerusalem.
A circuit-riding preacher trained his horse to go when he said, “Praise the Lord,” and to stop when he said, “Amen.”
The preacher mounted the horse, and said: “Praise the Lord,” and went for a ride in the nearby mountains.
When he wanted to stop for lunch by a mountain stream, he said, “Amen.”
He took off again, saying: “Praise the Lord.” The horse started heading toward the edge of a cliff on a narrow mountain trail. The preacher got excited and said, “Whoa!” Then he remembered and said, “Amen,” and the horse stopped just short of the edge.
The preacher was so relieved that he looked up to heaven and said, “Praise the Lord!”
Most of us like to take trips to the mountains to refresh and renew ourselves in the clean mountain air, away from the congestion and stress of city life; some on horseback. Just watch what you say to your horse!
Whether it is a short vacation trip or a lengthier adventure, we are all on a journey throughout our lives in one way or another.
St. Luke’s Gospel has been characterized as the story of Jesus’ journey from Jerusalem (where he was presented in the Temple) to Jerusalem (where he died). And along the way; from Jerusalem to Jerusalem, He accomplished many things and faced many challenges during His three-year ministry. He performed many miracles. He cast out many devils. He brought healing to many with both physical and spiritual ills. He taught many about Himself and His mission on earth. He endured the ridicule and condemnation of the Pharisees. He suffered much and accomplished much, not the least of which is the establishment of His Church Militant, His Mystical Body on earth, to which we belong through baptism. It was a journey that fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies of the coming of a Messiah.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus returns to Jerusalem.
Before entering the city, He weeps for the city because he envisions its destruction in the year 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans. Following the destruction of the Temple and the city itself, the Jews embark upon a journey. They seek a new homeland, but live in a wilderness of fear and hatred in the diaspora for centuries to come. The Apostles embark upon journeys to Asia Minor, North Africa, Rome and several other places where they go to “make disciples of all nations”, in accordance with the instruction given them by Jesus (Matt. 28:19). Many journeys; many plans; many goals; many hopes and many fears.
What is your journey; what are you seeking? As Christians, we know that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. We accept that by faith. But faith is an ephemeral thing for many, as it waxes and wanes; comes and goes; is built up and falls down, as we journey through our lives, drawing nearer to God. For many, God is to be called upon in time of need, but not so much in times of plenty. The classic example of this is war, as it has often been said: “There are no atheists in foxholes!”
We have both the gift of faith and an investment in faith. The “investment” in faith is a two-fold activity. First, we must continue to accept God’s graces helping us to grow in our own faith. Secondly, we must share our faith with others so that they too find their road to God’s promised land on their journey of faith.
Jesus wept, not only because He envisioned the future destruction of the Temple and of the city itself, but also because of the weakness of the Jews’ belief in Him as the Son of God. He rode into Jerusalem on a colt triumphantly receiving their accolades on Palm Sunday and five days later, on Good Friday, they “rode Him out of town” to be crucified. Faith is indeed ephemeral.
Our faith journey is also to Jerusalem: the New Jerusalem, i.e., God’s heavenly kingdom (Rev. 21:1-4). But unlike, the feckless Jews who lauded Jesus on Sunday as He entered Jerusalem and then yelled “crucify him” on Friday, our faith shall endure and we will enter the City of God one day when our journey here on earth has ended. And Jesus will welcome us saying: “Well done my good and faithful servant. Now enter into the joy of your Father’s home” (Matt. 25: 21,23).
Yes, we are pilgrims on a faith journey. And, recalling the earlier story of the circuit-riding preacher, whenever we say, “Praise the Lord”, we are prodding our metaphorical horses to move forward on the trail of life. As we all know very well by now, God has a plan for each and every one of us. That plan is the path our metaphorical horse takes on our journey. Some of us may lose our way and head toward a cliff. But, the Holy Spirit is riding with us telling us when to say, “Amen” so we do not ride off the precarious cliff of life. We must listen for that gentle voice in our minds that puts us back on the right direction toward fulfilling God’s plan for each of us and ultimately toward eternal life in God’s heavenly Kingdom. After all, falling over a cliff could be fatal not only for the body but also for the soul!
In the Middle Ages, Jesus was sometimes symbolized as a mythical creature known as a unicorn: a horse, of sorts, with a long horn growing out of its forehead. It is associated with purity and strength; an apt description of the virtuous life of Jesus. St. Luke’s Gospel (1:69) mentions the prophesy of Zacharias, saying: “… the Lord God … hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David”: this is Jesus, the unicorn image. Thus, our faith journey may be upon a unicorn, rather than a horse.
In any case, Jesus shows us the way. His Word in Scripture is the sign to follow. He is the image unto which we are to mold our lives. My path in life is not your path in life. We are all individuals and have our own special gifts and talents given us by God.
Some might remember the old motion picture entitled, Quo Vadis: “Where are you going?” (Jn. 13:36). The answer to that Biblical question can be found only within ourselves; within our hearts and through the Holy Spirit. We must ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in finding our paths in life according to God’s will.
Your metaphorical horse or unicorn is taking you into the mountains, just like that circuit-riding preacher in today’s story. You are on a journey to the Mountain of God. And, on that mountain, I hope you will find the peace and joy of knowing that you are doing His will here on earth.And when you reach your journey’s end, you will find that it is not at a cliff, but at a green pasture among the mountain peaks, “beside the waters of comfort” (Ps. 23:1), where you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!