A year last February we were in New York and filmed our ‘About’ video. I opened with the line “In the midst of the hustle and bustle and the demands of a society living without God, pilgrimage offers a rest place for the soul, an opportunity to hear God, a renewal of the heart in search of the truth.”
There’s so much truth in this. A Catholic pilgrimage is a medicine for the soul.
Reflecting on the juxtaposition of the world and Catholic pilgrimage, was eye opening. Whilst there were so many differences, let’s look at 4 huge ways you will benefit by making a Catholic pilgrimage.
Busyness vs Solitude
Mark 1:35 It was very early in the morning and still dark. Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone. There he prayed.
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How many times have you asked somebody how they are and they’ve responded ‘great, but really busy!’ I find myself saying it as well. The truth is, we live in a world that demands so much of our time and if we don’t give it our time, we are rejected by the world. FOMO or ‘fear of missing out’ is a common modern day problem for people, particularly the young. There’s no more 9-5 job anymore in London, it’s more like 9-7, and then it’s always good to meet up with somebody for a drink after work. Throw in the commute and you’re home at 10 into bed and up early for that lovely morning commute again. That’s before we get onto the weekend. If you have a weekend that’s free in the next month, congratulations! Keep it free!
Catholic pilgrimage takes you out of this environment and away from the distractions of busyness. On a good Catholic pilgrimage there’s time to just do nothing, time to find a quiet place somewhere and time for the distractions on your mind to fade away. Why is this so important? Because it helps you discover your identity, hear the voice of God and begin to fix whats broken in your life.
2. Entertainment vs The Sacraments
John 6:53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
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What do we feed our minds on each day? We live in a world whereby we constantly need to be entertained. Whether with the latest U.S box set, movies, sports, recreation, not bad things necessarily, but things nonetheless.
William A. Donohue says ‘We are so bored that sporting events can no longer stand by themselves. We have fireworks at ballparks, scoreboards that light up the sky, computer graphics that make us dizzy, loudspeakers that tell us when to shout, and concerts in the middle of the Super Bowl. The games just aren’t enough to satisfy anymore.’
We are becoming harder and harder to satisfy as each generation passes by. The Sacraments of the Catholic Church can be received with fewest obstacles whilst on Catholic pilgrimage. Enter into a new routine of waking up, praying, going daily to Holy Mass and eating the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Experience confessing your sins with the clearness of mind thanks to the solitude you’ve already been experiencing throughout your days, because of the new lack of busyness in your life. Be set free by the sacraments whilst on a Catholic pilgrimage.
3. Easy relationships vs Fellowship
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
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The world offers fast dating, false friendships, sex on tap and countless apps used by so many purely for self gratification in a ‘use and get rid’ culture.
Catholic Pilgrimages offer Fellowship.
The picture of fellowship I have is when I look to the left and to the right and I’m surrounded by friends and pilgrim compatriots in one spirt with one focus and one desire - Jesus. Jesus before us on the altar giving us His flesh, His entire existence, pouring out His Spirit into every open heart. As we spend these moments together I’ve seen the Lord making heavenly kingdom relationships between people, friendships that have something different about them - how do you put your finger on it? Holy Spirit, all Holy Spirit. Making this journey we are united by Holy Spirit. Our normal differences or lack of compatibility if we were to be friends in the world fades into nothingness, because through Holy Spirit we are united in love for our King. He is enough for our lives and He is enough for our friendship. Our common goals and interests become aligned to the will of God. Fellowship flows into laughter, warmth and kindness amongst the ice creams and the pancakes!
4. Fake News vs The Word
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The world offers fake news, confusion, distortion, disorder, promoting a culture of death, all initiatives of the enemy who seeks to seeks to confuse and accuse. We are living in a time where fear sells, where fear generates ‘clicks’, where fear spreads from one mouth to another. Positive life giving news is hard to come by in the mainstream media, any good news is often found entangled amongst the thorns and any life that comes from it is quickly choked out.
With God, we have the true word. The word that is spirit and truth and brings life and life to the full. Through daily Mass we listen to the word of God in its entirety over the liturgical three year cycle. The word opens our minds and we live in the truth that Christ brings, for the word is God. On Catholic pilgrimage we feed on the word each day and the spiritual food entering our bodies is no longer polluting and killing us, but feeding and nourishing us. When on a Catholic pilgrimage, it’s amazing how little time we have for our phones and the noise that comes through them. In the quiet and through the word, God will speak to you.