Thanksgiving has arrived once again, and our families gather from near and far to celebrate this annual feast. The important word there is “families.” This past year, as Catholics, our attention has been focused on family life.
A pilgrimage is like going home. Such a “homecoming” may not actually be to a place we have been before, although most of us have been here at the Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before, perhaps for a previous diocesan pilgrimage or for the annual Mass for Life in January or for some other visit.
The Apostles were devastated at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. They had lived and traveled everywhere with him for the three years of his public ministry and had placed all their hope in him. And then, suddenly, he was gone. He had warned them, but they paid little attention. Now what? The change was beyond their comprehension. They huddled together in fear and disappointment, worried about their own future.