Monday, July 27, 2009

Groups on Pilgrimage

Starting to think of and plan for pilgrimage with various groups of people who are interested in the life of a pilgrim.

For example, taking a pilgrimage with people gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer identifying or questioning. The idea is this: many people who are LGBTQ use the metaphor of coming "out of the closet." Another metaphor may be being on a journey, a pilgrimage of coming out of the closet.

Other groups?

Peace,

Brett

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Motion of the Pilgrimage: To Iona

Yesterday at a Presbytery meeting, someone mentioned to me the possibility of going on a pilgrimage to Iona.

One of my friends on "Facebook" recently got back from a pilgrimage to Iona.

Iona may be calling.

It is a place of pilgrimage for lots of Protestants. We seem to feel safe going to a place that isn't "too Catholic." It is a place of deep beauty, quiet rest, and a jumping off place as well for other pilgrimage. Saints Cuthbert and Aidan both were sent from the community of Iona to the other side of England, to Lindisfarne, the Holy Isle.

Perhaps it is time to go and simply "be" on Iona's quiet land.

Buen Camino!

B

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Richard Rohr on Pilgrimage

In the book, "Radical Grace," the Catholic writer Richard Rohr has some keen insights into pilgrimage that are part and parcel of what I am hoping to infuse in the very nature of the School of the pilgrim:

First: be where your feet are, and live in that moment. It is easy in life and on pilgrimage to expect that there is something more fantastic or awesome around the curve. Writes Rohr: "As long as we think happiness is around the corner, we have not grasped happiness. Happiness is given in this moment. Everything is right here, right now, the total mystery of Christ; totally hidden and yet perfectly revealed.

Second: though pilgrimages are good for the spirit, if you can't find Jesus in your hometown, you probably aren't going to find him in Jerusalem. If you haven't already entered into a relationship with Mary before you probably won't find her at Lourdes. Pilgrimage has achieved its purpose when we can see God in our everyday and ordinary lives.

Third: a pilgrim must be a child who can approach everything with an attitude of wonder, awe, and faith. Pray for wonder, awe, desire. Ask God to take away your sophistication and cynicism. Ask God to take away the restless, anxious heart of the tourist, which always needs to find the new, the more, the curious. Recognize yourself as a pilgrim, as one who has already been found by God.

Shalom and Salaam,

Brett

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Pop Pilgrimage

Really?

This is interesting: they are describing the upcoming funeral of Michael Jackson as a "Pop Pilgrimage" after the "King of Pop" death.

Really?

Pace!

B

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Birthday Pilgrimage

I am here in NYC, the city of my birth.

Today I went to Ellis Island: a pilgrimage took place. This is the place that my grandmother (mom's side) would play the piano and her friend would play the violin for the recent immigrants every Sunday afternoon after Church.

I was following in my grandmother's footsteps, looking for her good spirit in all the right places.

Shalom!

Pace!

B