THE THEME OF PILGRIMAGE AND FAITHFULNESS

Pilgrimage has a special place in Christianity. 

Fidelity to the goal, and keeping one’s eye on the ball is a thought which underlies the whole idea of Christian pilgrimage. 

Moses was faithful as a servant, but Christ is faithful as the master of the house. 

We are still on a Pilgrimage, a journey of vital importance.

Pilgrimage is an expression of dissatisfaction with the present state of things and with oneself and one’s own part, a time of withdrawal from normal preoccupations in order to re-focus on the goal, to assess the obstacles in one’s own way of life. 

By being cut off from the normal distractions, subterfuges and supports of daily life, the pilgrim is led to be more objective about himself or herself, often helped by fellow-pilgrims in the same state of mind, and by meditation on the holiness of the shrine at the end of the pilgrimage, whether it be the Holy Land, or Lourdes or Canterbury or Compostella.

(Commentary from Universalis based on Today’s reading taken from Hebrews 3:7-14.)