Dan Allen ’07, ’11 M.Div.
Spirituality Program Director, Notre Dame Alumni Association

Today began with a good deal of excitement (but very little restful sleep) as we landed in Israel for the first time. Our group started getting to know one another by swapping Notre Dame stories or talking about how we came to be a part of this pilgrimage. Despite the time change and grogginess, we were remarking on the tremendous blessing of modern travel and the fact that, in a matter of only one day, we were halfway around the world. Not too long ago, it was much harder to travel great distances and meant that many people spent their entire lives in a relatively small geographic area.

We then discussed Jesus who, during his public ministry, traveled only in this small region of the Holy Land and ministered for a mere three years. Nevertheless, he accomplished so much that it affects us in profound ways even now. Jesus is why we are here, and our desire to encounter this land is, in many ways, an attempt to know him better.

Lent also beckons us in this manner. We journey with Jesus into the wilderness, following his example of self-denial so that we may sharpen our senses and resolve to serve God alone. But, as we all know too well, plenty of things come to distract us.
These distractions came to mind as we visited a cave near Mount Carmel, a place where tradition holds that Elijah prayed when he defeated the prophets of Baal, a false god that mystified the people in Elijah’s day.

What or who are the false gods of our time? There are classic examples of power, pleasure, honor, and wealth, and though they may take different forms in every generation, they are principally the same. We allow ourselves to be deluded into thinking that any of these can bring us happiness, and it can be difficult for us not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We can also make gods out of people such as athletes or celebrities, fooling ourselves into becoming obsessed in their movements, activities and social media posts.

What, then, are we to do? As I reflected on this question, I considered the name of the Carmelite Monastery that has been built over Elijah’s cave and that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It is called Stella Maris, meaning “Star of the Sea,” and it refers to Mary and her help and guidance of those at sea. She is a beacon of hope and a light for those who are lost.

Naturally, this brought me home to Notre Dame. Our own statue of the Blessed Mother shines brightly in gold during the day and stays illuminated at night, directing our hearts, minds, and prayers to God. How many people in the Notre Dame family have looked to Mary on the Golden Dome or prayed for her intercession at the Grotto?

So this Lent, when we find ourselves distracted or without clear direction, we can look to Mary to guide us away from the false gods that seek our time and energy. She was the bearer of the one, true God on earth, and she knows how to lead us to her son. Notre Dame, Our Mother and

 Star of the Sea, pray for us now and always!