Seeing the divisiveness of the world today, especially in America, a young reporter sought out a Desert monk to receive wisdom on how religion could "fix things". The reporter tried to be clever and was hoping to get a story that might either generate disagreement or a positive response in order to better the ratings. However, when asked the question on how to reclaim unity, and bring people back to God, the monk just answered "Pilgrimage" and turned and walked away. The Reporter was speechless and stood there, trying to figure out what to do next.
We understand the monk completely. At Nazareth House Apostolate, we have always sought to make pilgrimage.
Throughout history people have made pilgrimages to Holy Places.
Pilgrimage is both a journey and a sacred destination. Its a conscious effort to journey afar either in search of meaning or as an act of praise, prayer and worship.
"The evolution of modern transportation systems and requirements to fit into work schedules have changed pilgrimage. Few today would entertain a year -round trip from the UK to the Holy Land, which was the norm in the middle ages - along with all the hardships." - Dr. Justine Digance of Griffith University of Australia. In America, even fewer make pilgrimages.
When the monk replied "Pilgrimage"; what he was saying is that if more people began to come apart from the daily bombardment of the media, the political scene and the economy that seek to divide us with horror and doubt and if we instead searched out holy places we would begin to disconnect to connect. And the connection is a re-connecting to God. The journey done right makes the arriving rewarding.
The definition of a Pilgrim is a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
As you've heard us say so many times here at NHA, it is the walking the path we pray and praying the path we walk.
A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey with a sacred purpose. It's much more than jumping into the car to go look at Religious Statues. Its an act of prayer, each step brings us to an intersection of integrating the past, present and future. Progress is determined by the rest and action. In our steps, the progress, moving forward is determined by the stability of the rest as found in the foot that holds the weight of the body and the foot that moves forward. Here we learn to be at home at the ground of our feet.
What do we do on pilgrimage?
We understand the monk completely. At Nazareth House Apostolate, we have always sought to make pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage is both a journey and a sacred destination. Its a conscious effort to journey afar either in search of meaning or as an act of praise, prayer and worship.
"The evolution of modern transportation systems and requirements to fit into work schedules have changed pilgrimage. Few today would entertain a year -round trip from the UK to the Holy Land, which was the norm in the middle ages - along with all the hardships." - Dr. Justine Digance of Griffith University of Australia. In America, even fewer make pilgrimages.
When the monk replied "Pilgrimage"; what he was saying is that if more people began to come apart from the daily bombardment of the media, the political scene and the economy that seek to divide us with horror and doubt and if we instead searched out holy places we would begin to disconnect to connect. And the connection is a re-connecting to God. The journey done right makes the arriving rewarding.
The definition of a Pilgrim is a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
As you've heard us say so many times here at NHA, it is the walking the path we pray and praying the path we walk.
A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey with a sacred purpose. It's much more than jumping into the car to go look at Religious Statues. Its an act of prayer, each step brings us to an intersection of integrating the past, present and future. Progress is determined by the rest and action. In our steps, the progress, moving forward is determined by the stability of the rest as found in the foot that holds the weight of the body and the foot that moves forward. Here we learn to be at home at the ground of our feet.
What do we do on pilgrimage?
"And what I say unto you, I say unto all: Watch." Mk. 13:37
