Pilgrimage is much on our minds: the Climate Justice pilgrimages are reaching their destination; Episcopal friends recently walked some of the Fife Pilgrim Way to St Andrews; Saturday’s West Fife Area mini-gathering has pilgrimage as one of its themes. On Tuesday, our friend Liz Crumlish took this picture near St Ninian’s Cave near where her diocese is having a retreat with pilgrimage as a theme, and yesterday she wrote this in her blog:

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. (Hebrews 11:13-14)

In the pilgrim’s backpack..
are not just the essentials of travel…
Like water
and a snack
spare socks
lip balm
and first aid supplies

In the pilgrim’s backpack..
is also the community from whence they came
those they have left behind
the ones they like to hang out with
and the ones they avoid
those who bring them joy
and those who drink deeply
from the well of another’s compassion
and test their tolerance

They all find a way to cram themselves in
a bit like the cloud of witnesses
who jostle around the altar
every time bread is blessed and broken

The whole community gathers
carried by the pilgrim
bidden or unbidden

And, as prayer is offered
all are gathered up
into God’s embrace
for God, too, is a pilgrim.