Pages

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Post-Pilgrimage Friday 5

PPF5 from Rev Gal Blog Pals

Fresh from a pilgrimage to Iona, ReverendMother gave us five ways to imagine pilgrimaging:
Hello friends, I am just back from a lovely time of pilgrimage in the isle of Iona, "cradle of Scottish Christianity." It has provided much food for thought, to say the least, and so, to keep the pilgrim mojo going:
1. Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? (however you choose to define the term) Share a bit about it. If not, what's your reaction to the idea of pilgrimage?

Ramsey Canyon PreserveClearly RM isn't looking for the stock biblical answer that every moment of life is a time of pilgrimage. I've never been on a formally designated pilgrimage, but the pic I've posted is from Ramsey Canyon Preserve, one of my favorite places in the Tucson area. I love, love, love the desert, and being there even for a few hours strips me clean while refreshing me like almost nothing else. Right now I live in a coastal desert, and spending time on the beach, especially in winter when fewer people are there, revives and renews me in similar ways. About my reaction to the idea of a more typical pilgrimage, I'd want to go with someone else, whether or not it was new to them, so we could share reactions, experiences and surprises.

2. Share a place you've always wanted to visit on pilgrimage.

marienkircheI've been to several of them more than once, but today I'll name the Marienkirche in Lübeck, where Dietrich Buxtehude was organist and the destination of J.S. Bach's famous pilgrimage, where he stayed far longer than he'd announced he'd be staying (intentionally, or not). There are other tourist and related places I've wanted to go, have traveled to and hope to travel to in the future, and I consider my journeys to those buildings, cities, churches, museums and towns as sacred as any Wittenberg, Rome or Geneva.

3. What would you make sure to pack in your suitcase or backpack to make the pilgrimage more meaningful? Or does "stuff" just distract from the experience?

Always a new 70-page spiral bound, wide-ruled notebook for writing and notes as well as another book of almost any size for actual journaling. A few dozen sheets of unlined 8.5 x 11 white bond for sketching; HB pencils and a sharpener, an eraser and a collection of fine-tipped markers.

4. If you could make a pilgrimage with someone (living, dead or fictional) as your guide, who would it be? (I'm about this close to saying "Besides Jesus." Yes, we all know he was indispensable to those chaps heading to Emmaus, but it's too easy an answer)

In a previous Friday 5, someone answered "Martin Luther," almost taking his name right out of my mouth (don't recall who I picked for that play), so I'll choose Martin and Katie Luther and I'll be very, very curious to discover how they react to the state of the Church and the churches in this 21st century. Tree 3

5. Eventually the pilgrim must return home, but can you suggest any strategies for keeping that deep "mountaintop" perspective in the midst of everyday life? (don't mind me, I'll be over here taking notes)

I'm relatively adept at hanging on to memories, but I'll mention my sketches and whatever words I record in my notes and journaling that later may become part of something more substantial.

10 comments:

Terri said...

I think those who had a vision for the Church long ago (Luther, Richard Hooker - Church of England, etc.) would be very sad, since in some ways not much has changed. But also probably excited that at least they still exist and people still care.

I really like your answers...drawing is a wonderful to keep memories alive.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

Luther, the desert, Bach, sketching... wow some heavy duty stuff. You surely are a renaissance woman!

reverendmother said...

I agree with HCL---I am really enjoying everyone's answers today.

Lori said...

Martin and Katie Luther! That's a great choice. I'd be interested in their thoughts as well.

Lovely answers, thanks.

Deb said...

When I get to heaven, I want to be able to draw!!!! :)

d

Mary Beth said...

Woo, I like the specificity of the tools you will take. That's a person who knows what she likes.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

The desert area around Tuscon is one of the places I would love to visit, so thanks for including the picture and your experience of that place. Being stripped clean...powerful.

Erin said...

I wish I could sketch...I have to settle for taking a camera instead. Beautiful answers! -Angel

Scott said...

Those old churches in Germany really are beautiful. A music pilgrimage? Why didn't I think of that? Can I join you?

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, I like the equipment you take along, for drawing and writing, creative work...
and the Luthers... I think they would be very perplexed about our world, and some of the different gods that distract us!
But I sure would be interested in hearing their thoughts.