Joy of the pilgrim who finally reaches his goal—Jerusalem, the chosen home of God, venerable in Israel’s tradition. Here is a deep sense of homecoming and pride in that home. We of the worldwide ‘Israel of God’ have no city to shelter us all; we are ‘of the household of the faith’ (Gal 6:10). But we have brothers and sisters whom Jesus promised to those in his company (Mk 9:30); we have a home called ‘the Church.’ It stands scarred with years of siege but, by God’s grace, strong and dignified by the marks of resistance. We may take pride in it because the strength of its walls comes from God. It will never have peace from external threats; let us pray and work for its peace within, which is ‘the love of brethren.’