“Happy are those whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way.”
Psalm 84:5 (paraphrase)

A few months ago, a classmate of mine from seminary called and told me of a pilgrimage to the Iona Community in Scotland that a priest in his diocese was leading. He asked if I would be interested, and I said yes. So, in mid-September, I start my pilgrimage to Iona. After my return, I’ll share more of what Iona is all about.

But why call it a pilgrimage? Isn’t it just another trip? Some place to visit and buy souvenirs? Why call yourself a pilgrim?

For many people, the word pilgrim evokes certain images - the various characters in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, somberly clad Puritans landing at Plymouth Rock, or impassioned crusaders battling their way to the Holy Land. With these models of pilgrims feeding our imaginations, how do we living in the 21st Century understand what it means to be a pilgrim today?

A journey is involved, and it doesn’t have to be to far away places. It can begin right in your own back yard. It does involve, though, being mindful that you are on a journey, whether it be a physical one or a spiritual one. And, sometimes it does mean you go to a sacred place. For some, it might mean going to a place like Iona, Taize, or Canterbury Cathedral. I have a friend who is a gardener, and he tells me his ‘sacred place’ is his garden. This is where he takes time, and devotes his energy to being in the presence of God. Location may be important, but intentionality is key.

Again why embark on a pilgrimage? The reason people undertake this journey is as diverse as the pilgrims themselves. Some seek clarity, some seek peace, or some seek to renew their spirit. Regardless of the reason, all desire to draw closer to God.