The Way of a Pilgrim
Proper 5C
1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 7:11-17
6/6/10
Lorraine Ljunggren

        Three years ago when these lessons from scripture came up in our Sunday lectionary, I was the preacher. That in its self may not be surprising, but that we were sending off on their pilgrimage a group of youth and their leaders from our Journey to Adulthood Program comes under the heading of synchronicity – or as a wonderful coincidence. It is always important to realize that some things we share are ageless. We know that the world in which we live today is as it was then and in many ways it is different. But the purpose of a pilgrimage remains true to form.

         A pilgrimage is “a journey to a sacred place or shrine” or it can mean more generally “the course of life on earth” (Merriam-webster.com as of 6/4/10) . Another resource tells us it is “a journey to a holy place undertaken for religious reasons” or “a journey to a special place” (encarta.msn as of 6/4/10). “In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance… Members of every major religion participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.” (Wikipedia, 6/7/07)

         I appreciate how pilgrimage is described. I appreciate noting that for religious people a pilgrimage is intended to be of great moral significance. Since the whole of God's creation is sacred to us as people of faith, the places to which we make a pilgrimage are as varied and as far flung as we can imagine or as the roads, skies, waterways and paths can take us.

        But, make no mistake, a pilgrimage is not the same thing as a vacation. While we may reap some of the same benefits such as seeing people and places and things we haven't seen before, a pilgrimage is built on the foundation of faith in God – particularly on the relationship between the pilgrim and God.

         So, while all who claim the journey of faith as their own are pilgrims, in a little while, we will commission the Journey to Adulthood Pilgrims who are about to undertake a pilgrimage to Canada and part of northwestern New York State. The Journey to Adulthood Program includes a pilgrimage as part of the spiritual formation of these youth and their leaders which is intended to nurture their faith and their desire for faith, to build further a community which differs from our other communities because we are willing to say out loud that God is at the center of this journey. We also send them on pilgrimage to put into action the basics of what it means to be of service to others in God's name.

        On this pilgrimage these young women and men and their leaders will meet many people who will begin as strangers but whom we hope they'll part calling friends. They will encounter people very different from themselves and people who are very much the same, but all the people they encounter will bear the image and likeness of God granted to every human being.

        Our pilgrims do have quite an adventure ahead of them. There will be challenges along the way. Most of us know what it is like to travel with family members; so just imagine 17 unrelated people traveling together! In those times of challenge, I hope you rely on the bonds you have made here at St. Mark's among one another and among all of us – for our hearts and prayers will be with you.

        You will be stretched along the pilgrim's way. I personally hope, pilgrims, that your beliefs and your faith will be stretched – enlarged – strengthened – renewed. If your faith has gotten covered up in the craziness of life and seems hidden or feels dim now, I hope your faith rises like the sun to shine into your hearts and minds and spirits in ways it might never have shined before. I hope you'll be surprised by the ways in which the destinations on your itinerary, from the streets of the teeming city of Toronto where they'll encounter the homeless, addicts, and prostitutes – the sorts of people with whom Jesus hangs about, to a Canadian nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary, and on to Niagara Falls, will cause you to see the whole of life in new ways. In times when your spirits thirst, I hope the waters of the rivers you cross or lakes you pass by will remind you that in your Baptisms you are marked as Christ's own forever and are never alone but always surrounded by God's grace and love.

         You go as pilgrims in the year 2010. In human history so many pilgrims have gone before you. Some pilgrims of faith who travel the way have been called prophets, and perhaps among you will come prophetic voices.

         It may seem a strange thing that on this special commissioning Sunday, the readings from the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Gospel have to do with two widows who, having already experienced losses in their lives, experience yet another one. On top of the grief which accompanies loss are the cultural and social realities that, without a grown child to care for her, the widows face poverty and an unknown future. Yet, each woman in her time ends up being unexpectedly blessed by the presence of a prophet of God.

         To the woman at Zarephath the prophet's name is Elijah. Through the prophet's persistent voice, quick action, and a miraculous act of faith, the woman's son is revived. The widow living in the town called Nain encounters a prophet along the funeral's procession who is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. Through a miraculous act of compassion on Jesus' part, to the amazement of those in the procession and in the crowd following Jesus, they all get to experience first hand what new life means! As might be expected, the people watching are scared out of their wits! But, then, as if a light suddenly dawns on them, the people exclaim, “A great prophet has risen among us! God has looked favorably on God's people!” (Lk. 7:16) Suddenly, the grief that bore down so heavily moments before lifts like clouds after a storm and true joy is reborn.

         This is joy unlike that the world tries to give us. This is joy that reflects the overwhelming brightness of new and renewed life we find only in God. It is a joy that is beyond what our human language can describe but that we know exists because from time to time, if only for brief moments, we are blessed with its sudden radiance! It is the kind of joy that takes our breath away – that leaves us so breathless we want always to feel it!

        But, perpetual joy is not the pilgrim way for any of us. While we desire always to be filled with the joy that comes in our relationship with God when we are able to stay focused and aware of God's love, other things intrude and block our vision and our feeling. Challenges arise. Life can seem to change moment by moment. Even our faith can seem to wax and wane like the phases of the moon. Some days it seems the best we can do is to put one foot in front of the other.

        But, yes! That is the way of the pilgrim! To keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when the way seems shrouded in mist and we cannot clearly see our way forward! Yes! That is the way of faith as well! To keep on trusting that, first of all, God does exist, and next, God does love us! That is the way of the pilgrim. It is the way of prophets in every age – prophets of every age.

        I have to say, young pilgrims of St. Mark's that this is a message you must carry to one and all you meet. Young people, you have to claim your voices and speak about the inclusive love of God because there are forces at work in our nation and in the world who seek to separate and destroy the progress we've made towards the dream of God for all people. Young people have to step up and speak out, to work for reconciliation wherever divisions exist. Dare I say, God needs you young people to be prophets of hope wherever you go on the pilgrim's way.

        And, so, my pilgrim friends, prepare yourselves as best you can for the mystery that lies ahead on your journey. Say your prayers. Remember the promises of your Baptism. Remain open to the fun and the excitement of being witnesses of God's love among people you will meet along the way, and among yourselves. Then return to us, changed yet ever your true selves whom we already love -- return to share with us the surprises God has in store for all of you. Amen.

©2010 Lorraine Ljunggren