Pilgrimage has been at the forefront of my thinking recently – for a lucky few there has been the 4 yearly pilgrimage to the World Cup, for others the opportunity to travel to Oberammergau but for most of us our annual ‘pilgrimage’ will probably be our summer holiday, whether that is going away or perhaps days out.
Recently at our Abbots Messy Church the theme was journeys and holidays, plus the Methodist Homes for the Aged service this year was on the theme of ‘PilgrimAGE’ reflecting on our journey through life, so maybe its not surprising that I’m thinking along these lines!
One of our regular ‘pilgrimages’ when on holiday is to the little village on the end of the Lleyn peninsular called Aberdaran. It is a beautiful area, with a wild and spectacular coastline, and it marks the stopping point of ancient pilgrims to the holy
island of Ynys Enlii, or Bardsey. We have never actually crossed over to Bardsey, as the strait between the mainland and island can be very rough and you have to have good weather, so perhaps this year we will make it!
In fact the journey was so perilous that in the Middle Ages three trips to Bardsey were the equivalent of one pilgrimage to Rome. But why had this tiny remote island become a place that drew people to itself? Revd Jim Cotter who is the
Anglican priest at nearby St Hywyns church remarked on a Radio 4 programme that there was something about ‘going West’ - stepping out into the unknown - which equated with putting yourself in God’s hands, and becoming fully reliant on God. The ancient Celtic monks took this literally, taking to their coracles at the mercy of wind and wave to bring the gospel to faraway places, but always on the lookout for the special place at which to end their days. Bardsey is known as the ‘Island of a Thousand Saints’ because so many came to this place when they where elderly or sick to end their days there.
So what can we learn from these ancient ‘pilgrimages?
Perhaps that the journey is as important as getting there, if we travel light and travel with God, and that we need to make space in our lives for quiet and reflection. Perhaps too, that we should ‘look West’ over the horizon into the unknown and grasp and welcome change, for if we do not change, we die.
But most of all, I think we need to learn the trust of the ancient monks, that no matter what our difficulties, we do not travel on our own, God is there with us, beside us and sometimes (to paraphrase the well known poem) even carrying us.
So I wish you well on your journeying where ever and whatever stage you are on in your journey through life. If, over the summer you are off to warmer climes, go well and go with God. If you are staying at home, then perhaps you can take a quiet reflective pilgrimage, remembering previous journeys, reliving with thankfulness the times God has strengthened and guided you.
Every Blessing
Gill
