WEDNESDAY, November 18 (Hilda of Whitby)

I am often asked where in the Bible "pearly" gates are mentioned. It is in John's vision of the new Jerusalem, where he writes of the gateway to heaven. The same verse describes streets of gold. I suppose if one were trying to describe the most exquisite sight imaginable it would include lots of jewels, stones, and precious metals. Most of our earthly experiences of place pale in comparison. But some do not. Especially if they include a remarkable encounter with another person.

Pilgrims visiting Poland at the beginning of the twentieth century were often told to stop and see the saintly Rabbi Israel Kagan--more commonly known as the "Chafetz Chaim." Two pilgrims were surprised to see the rabbi lived in a simple, book-lined room, in which the only pieces of furniture were a table, a bench, and a bed.

"Rabbi, where's all your furniture?" the pilgrims asked. "Why, where's yours?" asked the rabbi in reply.

"Ours? But we're just passing through," they said. "So am I," said the rabbi, "so am I."

So are we all. May we not miss the important moments and people in our lives because they do not measure up to some heavenly expectation.

PRAY for the Diocese of Wakefield (York, England)

Ps 101, 109 * 119:121-144; 1 Maccabees 3:42-60; Matthew 17:22-27