History of Christian Pilgrimages

Leonard Sweet writes in this latest book So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church.

Any brief incursion into the history of Christian pilgrimages, especially in their heyday from around 1050 to 1550 and a recounting of what happened on the most popular pilgrimage routes (Holy Land, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, Canterbury) reveal five common characteristics:

1. A deep desire for forgiveness of sins, absolution, or “papal indulgence.” There even arose “pilgrim passports” to be stamped at posts en route to prove one had made the “pilgrimage.”
2. The expectation of healing was not uncommon.  Pilgrims lived under the sign of “Say the Word!”: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” (Matt 8:8)
3. Pilgrims collected sacred relics and souvenirs, which could be anything from mummified fingers, shells, rocks, “virgin’s milk,” anything.
4. Pilgrims formed a community of fellow travelers, as was memorialized in Chancer’s Canterbury pilgrims.  Social contacts and stories were prominent features of pilgrimages.
5. A pilgrimage meant a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a chance to get away, open one’s life to the unexpected. and see “the other side of the hill.”  Danger was everywhere: Moorish pirates lay in wait; some pilgrims were sold into slavery; there was the ever present threat of robbery, murder, vagabonds. pickpockets, false guides., the danger of daggers, etc.

The essence of a theology of journey that incorporates all these features of a pilgrimage can be found in the thee Hs of the Emmaus Road story: hospitality, honesty, and home.  (pages 75-76)

Quote from Augustine

I’ve been praying and thinking about “living in the love the Creator, my Father.”  I came across this quote in one of the books I’m currently reading.  Really touched a nerve.  Maybe it will for you.

“Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you.  And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created  things which you made.”    – Augustine, Confessions

A Scripture for Postmodern Pilgrims

God, teach me lessons for living

so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I do what you tell me –

my whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of your commandments;

I love traveling this freeway!

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,

and not for piling up loot.

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets.

invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm your promises to me –

promises made to all who fear you.

Deflect the harsh words of my critics –

but what you say is always so good.

See how hungry I am for your counsel;

preserve my life through your righteous ways!

(Psalms 119:33-49 The Message)

 

At Home Relationship with Christ

This summer our Vancouver Epic Wineskins community has been looking at what Scripture has to say in regard to prayer and what we might learn in the process that would enable us to pray more effectively.   The impetus behind this prayer focus was a discussion we had some months back on why it seems that our prayers are somewhat ineffective as compared to believers in other parts of the world – most specifically the Third World.  

Two weeks ago we began looking at John 15:1-17; Jesus” familar Vine and Branches passage just prior to His crucifixion.  In this text, Jesus says a two things in regard to prayer:

1. “…..ask what you wish, and it will be done for you.” [v.7]

2. “… so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” [v.16]

These two examples seem to be conditional, but conditional on what?  I don’t believe its some type of performance or something we do. This has generally been the way I’ve understood the passage – very North American.  But this passage is about “abiding” or “remaining” in Christ depending on the translation one uses.  In The Message a paraphrase by Eugene Peterson (which I highly recommend) inserts a the phrase “make  your home in me” or “make yourselves at home in me,” instead of using the words “remain” or “abide.”

For one who has struggled acquiring a handle on these words “remain” and “abide” the phrase “make your home in me” is much less murky and more clear.  To abide or remain in Christ is to make ourselves at home in Him.  It’s a relational term that requires one to be transparent, open, honesty, and relaxed.  

At home I do many things that I would not do in someone else’s home.  I take my shoes off, let down my hair a bit, find myself more relaxed and comfortable.  In a way I kick back and take it easy.  There is a familiarity I experience at home that is mine no where else.  Also, there are levels of intimacy that happen no where else but when I’m at home.  Even the language I use is different – at least less formal.

Isn’t this what Jesus is asking of His disciples and from us?  To be relationally at home with Him?  Not so much worried about the words we use, have a good face on, wear our best cloths, but just sit down and relax in the enjoyment of our relationship.  To be intimate and transparent.  To let go of all the pretense and showiness and just be at home with Him.  This can be a place where we are authentically joined with Him and come to know Him, not just know about Him, but KNOW Him – experientially.

Its this being at home with Him that releases the power of prayer.  We get to know Christ, like we know our spouse, our children and other family members.  I know my wife very well because of living with her under the same roof for more than 41 years.  There are things I just don’t ask of her because I know her.  I know what pleases her and I know what doesn’t.  The same goes for our relationship with Christ – if we are at home with Him. 

The condition to Christ’s above statements regarding prayer is not performance, its relationship; a being at home relationship.  So intricately connected that I can ask for what I wish, because my heart is aligned with His, like my heart is aligned with my spouse.  This is not saying, I’ve arrived – far from it.  But I’m convinced that my prayers would be more readily answered if I quit spending time trying to perform to some religious standard and focused on an at home relationship of authentically coming to know Him. The good thing is that this passage describes ways that can occur.  Join me in an at home relationship with Christ.

Updates on Rick Meigs

Updates on Rick Meigs and his situation can be found at Brother Maynard’s site. Currently there are about three that he has posted.  Lets keep praying for Rick’s healing and recovery.

Pray for Rick Meigs

Just received an email regarding Rick Meigs who was at a Motorcycle rally at Hell’s Canyon in Oregon.  He was clipped by a vehicle who crossed the center line and hit him head on.  It was a hit and run.  He is in critical condition with two collapsed lungs and a ruptured spleen.  His wife Fran is in Texas and trying to get to Baker City, OR before they fly him to Boise, ID.

Please be praying for him and his family.

Another Update

Chemo Update 

Things have been going fairly well through the chemotherapy process.  Except for two delays in receiving the normal treatments due to low white blood cell count everything has been fairly copacetic.  If things continue in a normal fashion I should complete my final treatment on July 28^th.   To keep me on track my oncologist is prescribing injections every other week to raise my white blood cell count.  This will hopefully insure the completion of treatment on schedule.

I still have the normal side effects due to the chemo drugs (Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, Leucovorin) and the experimental drug (Herbatux).  From the chemo drugs I have constant neuropathy in my hands, feet and mouth, which means I don’t do well with foods and liquids that are below room temperature and things like ice cream feel like cold glass chips in my mouth.  The final side effect from these drugs is stomach cramps that just come and go at various times.  I think my body is getting used to the drugs because the stomach cramps are fewer and less severe these days.

From the experimental drugs I have skins rashes and acne over most parts of my body – hands and face are the worst.  Thankfully there is no pain and itching involved.  In addition to all the above I have a general low grade lousy feeling most of the time.

In spite of everything God’s presence, peace and goodness has been our portion throughout this ordeal.  I am grateful that so many are holding both Linda and I up in prayer – it means a great deal to us, more than any of you will know.  THANKS!

We see the end of this leg of journey July 28^th if everything stays on schedule and my white blood cells do their part.  And hopefully in a few months we can hear that the chemo did what it was supposed to do.

Probably the best thing about this journey is the “recalibration” of my life in so many ways.  One of those recalibrations is that I no longer see life as I once did.  No longer do I assume my life is in my hands, now I know it is in God’s and he will do immeasurably more than I can even ask or think.  Each day is a gift and I’m learning to ask the Lord as the Psalmist did in Psalm 90, “teach me to number my days that I may grow in wisdom.” I believe He is doing just that.

By God’s Grace!  Rob

St. Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.  May you trust God that you are exactly where you not you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.  May use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be content knowing you are a child of God.  Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.   It is there for each and everyone of us.

Defining the Future

JAME CANTON, PH.D. The Extreme Future: The Top Ten Trends that will Reshape the World in the Next 20 Years (p. 4), Plume, 2007 Five Factors That Will Define the Extreme Future: 1. Speed. The rate of change will be blinding, comprehensive in scope, and will touch every aspect of life. 2.Complexity. A quantum leap in the number of seemingly unrelated forces that will have a direct bearing on everything from lifestyles to work to personal and national security. 3. Risk. New risks, higher risks, and more threats from terror to crime to global economic upheaval will alter every aspect of your life. 4. Change. Drastic adjustments in your work, community, and relationships will force you to adapt quickly to radical change. 5. Surprise. Sometimes good, sometimes difficult to imagine,surprise will become a daily feature of your life, often challenging sensibility and logic. I THESSALONIANS 5:1-11 The New International Version Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Everything’s amazing, nobody’s happy

I thought this clip was amazing and got me to thinking about how blessed we all are.  Thank you to my friend Katherine who sent this clip to me.