Reframing “Pilgrimage"

We have finished the first part of our pilgrimage. We are now moving onward to focus on the ministry of Jesus. The first part of our pilgrimage revolved around the Nativity and now we are highlighting the words and deeds of Christ. Today we visited “Muhraqa” which is on Mount Carmel, as well as Caesarea Maritima. 



We have been pilgrims for three weeks now. But, in all honesty, we have always been pilgrims. We are all pilgrims on a journey, not mere wanderers looking for a home, but a people chosen to live in God's presence. We are a people chosen to live in a presence that ceaselessly tugs on our hearts and summons us by name.

The word "pilgrimage" is constantly used and never actually elaborated on. A pilgrimage is less about something we “go on” and more about a very real summoning. It is a word that describes the gravitational pull from God, a movement towards him.

Everyday, the thirty-seven of us men (and Sister Judith) are pilgrims following Christ with ups and downs, with the mundane and the surprising.


We are Christians, followers of Christ trying to listen for a small, subtle voice in the midst of our own contexts. Here in Nazareth we are visiting holy sites, praying in community and studying the scriptures. Most importantly we are recognizing that God is constantly waiting for us. The real dynamic of pilgrimage is that Jesus Christ is the one summoning us by name. In the meantime we try to be as open as possible for what’s ahead on this pilgrimage in the Holy Land and on this pilgrimage we call life.