Today was a day of relaxation. Those of you who have been to Rome could probably tell that we were "on the move" at a pretty brisk (grueling) pace these last few days. It finally caught up with us today and we decided to pull back just a little.

I, along with two of my companions, spent the day strolling leisurely, as opposed to breakneck speedwalking, through some of the streets of Rome. The Old World charm is wonderful and the eating experience continues to be incredible. I'm a real seafood eater and I've enjoyed some incredible seafood dishes here. It seems that we cannot find a bad restaurant.

All of us met up for conversation in the hotel lobby and then on to an amazing dinner. Each of us have been considering how this experience and the things we have learned can be assimilated into our lives as Christians and as clergy. I do not believe that anyone of us has failed to be challenged by our time here.

There are so many images of these last few days that are indelibly marked into my memory. As I was walking along on the walls of the Vatican, which is a veritable storehouse of precious art and unbelievable wealth, we were struck by the appearance of two beggars on the sidewalk. One, a man clearly stricken with horrible physical deformities and the other, a woman completely bent over at her waist and unable to walk upright. They were begging for spare change within mere feet of such incredible wealth and prosperity. While there is a claim by the church to be the visible representative of the Kingdom of God on earth, there was no one to extend a hand of aid to these people.

I wonder, how do I live out my claim to represent God in the world? What do I ignore? What are my failings, both by commission and by omission? And the church? How is the church, the universal church of Christ's followers throughout the world, culpable of misrepresentation?

I am finding that confronting the choices I've made moves me to continue in my struggle to live the life that God would have me live.

May the whole church live and grow in the image of our Creator in grace and love.

Don