In this Jubilee year many will be imagining that a coach trip to Knock or a plane ride to the Holy Land fulfils their pilgrimage “obligation”. Often the problem is that they return exactly the same as they left and no real change or “conversion” of the heart has taken place. The essence of Pilgrimage is found in God’s call to Abraham (Genesis 12:1) to move out from the known and familiar, to see new things, learn about oneself and to reflect on what God is asking me. As a leader of walking pilgrimages over many years I would suggest the following elements as essential in planning a pilgrimage:
A spiritual journey revolves around silence, prayer and reflection. It means doing a stock taking of one’s life and reflecting on what one’s life has meant so far. Inevitably this involves weighing up the positive and negative aspects of our lives and from this truth making decisions based on what God reveals to us through our experience. Normally this means making concrete decisions: tackling difficult personal problems; joining a prayer group; spending time with those in need or suffering; or simply setting aside more time for prayer. Essentially we go on pilgrimage to listen to what God is trying to say to us, to make our “hearts of stone into hearts of flesh” and to allow a creative blast of freshness and newness into our lives. On pilgrimage we move out of the normal and the safe where we allow God to take control and allow ourselves to be challenged to grow as people.
One of the main ways that we grow as people is in the formation of genuine Christian Communities of peace and reconciliation. It is always much more difficult to get on with others in a group and easier to keep oneself to oneself. The reason is that we are social beings and need others basically, but resent the demands and challenges that others pose. Often we do not get to chose our travelling companions and usually we would not have chosen the particular people that many times we are “thrown in” with. How we cope with the domineering busybody, the irritating comic, the loudmouthed grouch, the irritating youngster, the sulky introvert etc., determines how deep our faith is and how big our hearts are. Inevitably there will be difficult moments on a pilgrimage or journey together and it is in the negotiating of these crises that the real Christian journey begins. Our God is a relational God that seeks a relationship with us, but also teaches us through the varied relationships that life presents and how we ourselves are reflects in those.
The result of a genuine change of heart is always a greater engagement with the world. Going to traditional shrines or destinations can overlook the fact that God is still working through His Spirit in the world and looking to transform current realities. God works with human hearts and calls them to a deeper commitment to life in faith, and to be part of constructing the Kingdom of God (justice and peace) in this world. Often this entails having a change of heart as a result of seeing the strength of other people’s faith or the finding of a new compassion in the face of human suffering and misery. Here one’s personal faith commitment takes on a social aspect in helping others. A new heart is not satisfied with its own betterment but rather reaches out to encompass the whole world. Concrete projects which try to make the world more human makes one feel part of this life-giving spirit of renewal.
Tips for budding pilgrims:
- Allow God to speak through your life experience and appreciate the riches of it
- Interpret what this means for the future
- Take the courage to follow God’s call
