A close friend of mine has recently filed for a divorce. She is leaving the town where she had built a life with her ex-spouse and is starting fresh in a new city. She has found a one-bedroom apartment in a tall building, and as I help her move in, I am struck by her courage to begin again and the sense of community in her new residence. The people in the building are friendly and diverse, and they all seem to be devoted dog owners, just like my friend. While I know the coming months or even years will be challenging for her, I feel a sense of peace as I unpack her belongings, knowing that she is settling into a safe and sociable environment.
My friend’s journey into the unknown reminds me of the multinational and multilingual people mentioned in today’s reading from Zechariah. It also reminds me of their desire to join a nation where they have heard that God is present. Who wouldn’t want to be where God is, for themselves and their families? Don’t we all seek the favor of the Lord?
Wherever we go, God is with us, but we don’t always have the ability or strength to remain aware of that. As humans, we have an inherent need to belong somewhere and create a home among our own people. We establish settlements, form societies, and cultivate culture because it is ingrained in us. We live, worship, work, and play together, sometimes harmoniously and sometimes in conflict. However, we are more likely to build a community of peace and justice when we remember that God is with us.
Wherever we go, God is with us, but we may not always have the means or strength to keep that in mind. Like Jesus and his disciples on their way to Jerusalem, we may feel unwelcome in unfamiliar villages. We may have to keep moving to ensure our safety and well-being. We may need to leave behind a comfortable home, just like my friend, and establish new roots elsewhere. But regardless of our circumstances or challenges, we can have faith that God is still with us. Even when we are between residences, displaced, or rejected, our hearts always have a home. As the Psalmist sings, “My home is within you,” acknowledging our spiritual connection with God and teaching us that home is much more than a physical dwelling place.
