Lent Devotional about pilgrimage

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! ~Matthew 23:37 We pilgrims have been sent into the Old City of Jerusalem without a map. We wander through stone streets between crumbling walls, eventually stumbling across the Monastery of the Flagellation, … [Read more...] about #9 Lent Pilgrimage, Pierced

Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. ~Psalm 122:2 The Psalms of Ascent have accompanied us to Jerusalem; they are the songs of all pilgrims. As we pass through the ancient stone gates, Psalm 122 drifts through my consciousness. The light is low because the streets are as narrow as … [Read more...] about #8 Lent Pilgrimage, Our Feet Are Standing

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people. ~Psalm 125:1-2 Bible readers may be familiar with Mount Zion. Perhaps we imagine that Jerusalem perches on a mountaintop called Zion, … [Read more...] about #7 Lent Pilgrimage, Surrounded

Bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ~Deuteronomy 26:15 On Mount Scopus we are swarmed by unkempt boys selling panoramic posters. In the distance, Jerusalem's walls and buildings are a dirty-dog beige. This is the view that's printed on … [Read more...] about #6 Lent Pilgrimage, Pilgrim Eyes

Look on Zion, the city of our appointed festivals! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, an immovable tent. ~Isaiah 33:20 Every pilgrim longs to glimpse Jerusalem. The bus takes us to a vantage point called Mount Scopus. We shade our eyes against the glare of the sun. The ancient walls … [Read more...] about #5 Lent Pilgrimage, Zion

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:28 Pilgrims rarely travel alone. Other pilgrims are setting off on this path. They are like us, except for all the ways they are unlike us. … [Read more...] about Lent Pilgrimage, Pilgrim Band

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. ~Psalm 121:8 Today's Holy Land pilgrims often depart via airplane. Imagine that we are boarding a plane together. We are flying east, toward the morning light. We feel time crumble beneath us, like a ridge of … [Read more...] about #4 Lent Pilgrimage, As Time Zones Crumble

For the Lord has chosen Zion; the Lord has desired it for his habitation. ~Psalm 132:13 The word "pilgrimage" pairs naturally with "Holy Land." For thousands of years, pilgrims have traveled to the towns, deserts and lakeshore where Jesus set foot. They traveled most often by foot. Today's pilgrims … [Read more...] about #3 Lent Pilgrimage, by Donkey or Tour Bus

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. ~ Hebrews 11:8 A pilgrim follows in the footsteps of Abraham, setting out without knowing exactly where she or he is going. The destination may … [Read more...] about #2 Lent Pilgrimage, Destination Unknown