Have you ever considered that the direction of your life is always “away from here?” The following little poem by Franz Kafka embraces the idea that the only way to reach your destination is by mounting your horse (metaphorically) and riding “away from here.”

Think about what this means for your religion – your politics – your values. What would it mean for you to journey “away from here?”

My Destination

Franz Kafka (transl. Alex Flores)

 I called for my horse to be brought from the stable. The servant did not understand me. I myself went into the stable, saddled my horse and mounted.

In the distance I heard a trumpet blast. I asked him what it meant but he did not know and had not heard it. By the gate he stopped me and asked “where are you riding to sir?”

I answered “away from here, away from here, always away from here. Only by doing so can I reach my destination.”

“Then you know your destination” he asked. “Yes” I said “I have already said so,

‘Away-From-Here’ that is my destination.”

“You have no provisions with you” he said. “I don’t need any” I said. “The journey is so long that I will die of hunger if I do not get something along the way. It is, fortunately, a truly immense journey.”

You preachers might want to use this Kafka-thought in your Lenten preaching.

Enjoy!