Tag: pilgrimage

Places and travels

On March 15, 2020

In Faith goes walkabout, Holy Land, pilgrimage

At the end of my travels to the Holy Land we found these beautiful anemones at Abu Gosh, the site of Emmaus.

But lets start with the travels of Jesus. His own pilgrimage, in a sense, places he walked to, he didn’t have a coach or a car or a bike. He used a donkey from time to time, but generally he walked. Places where he performed miracles, gathered his disciples, went into the wilderness, and places where he met with God. Travels in the wilderness, travels into towns and villages.

In our own pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2020, we followed in his footsteps and walked in his ways. And now challenged to bring back to others the sights, the sounds and the knowledge we have gained.

Sermon for 3rd Sunday in Lent follows our journey and also relates to the Samaritan woman at the well; John 4: 5-42.

Rev’d Sue Martin

The Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

By faithgoeswalkabout

On March 25, 2016

In church seasons, Easter, Faith goes walkabout, theological

Via Dolorosa

Station 1

Last year on pilgrimage to the Holy Land we walked along the Via Dolorosa.

The Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Sorrow, winds along the narrow streets of Jerusalem’s Old City. It is the traditional route and follows the way of Jesus as he carried his cross from Pilot’s Judgement Hall to Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion.

Along this route are the Stations of the Cross, where each station or place, marks an event as Jesus walked along the way.

Saturday 31st January, we walked along the Via Delarosa, entering Jerusalem through St Stephens’ gate and stopped a while by the Pool of Bethesda. The day was sunny and bright, it was remarkable to feel so close to that day over two thousand years ago. But in the midst of walking along this route, there was a discovery of ourselves, our belief and our Christianity.

Through the streets we walked, in a group at times, and at times as individuals, with other people, tourists, local people, shop sellers. What had happened here to Jesus, could just have happened yesterday. It was in the midst of this life of a busy, bustling city where crowds gathered that saw the mood of Jerusalem change from a welcome to Jesus who had healed and performed miracles to the scourging, agony of carrying the cross and to the crucifixion.

Lost for words I walked the streets, I saw the sights, the people and the gifts for the tourists who cared to stop and to buy. The readings that we shared together at each of the stations are shortened and held as memories of that time, in that place and on that day. At some of the stations we hear about those in the crowds who helped, who are reminders of our own humanity for others who are suffering.

At each station Bishop Graham read a passage from the Bible and prayers were said at each place using www.oremus.org.

First Station

Jesus is condemned to death.

‘ Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium‘ John 18:28

Second Station

Jesus takes up the cross.

‘Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.’ John 19:1,

‘Then they handed Him over to them to be crucified.’ John 19:16

‘ Give us courage to take up our cross and follow you.’

Third Station

Jesus falls for the first time.

‘He would console me, and give me back my life, is far from me.’ Lamentations 1:16

Fourth Station

At the corner of 2 streets. Jesus meets his mother.

‘All you that look and see; is there any sorrow like the sorrow that afflicts me?‘ Lamentations 1:12

Let us never fail to call out for all those who suffer.

Fifth Station

Simon the Cyrenian carries the cross.

‘ They enlisted a passer by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry His Cross. Mark 15:23

Those who come after me, take up the cross. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Sixth Station

Veronica wipes the sweat from Jesus face.

‘ May the Lord’s face shine upon you.‘ Numbers 6:25

Nothing is too big or too small for us to give or offer.

The chapel of the Little Sisters of Jesus is now thought to be on the site of Veronica’s house.

Seventh Station

Jesus falls a second time, at the place of the death notice.

‘With their affliction, He was afflicted. In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.‘ Isaiah 63:9

Help us to turn from our ways that suffering may cease.

Eighth Station

Jesus meets the women.

‘ Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me. Weep rather over yourselves and your children’.

Luke 23: 28

Help us to know when to grieve and when to act.

Ninth Station

Jesus falls for the third time.

‘ I have come to do your will, O God.’ Psalm 40:8

When the shouting dies, we may still walk beside you.

Tenth Station

At Golgotha Jesus is stripped of His garments and the soldiers cast lots for his clothes.

‘From the sole of the feet to the head are bruises and sores and bleeding wounds.’ Isaiah 1:6

Help us to remember there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from your love.

Eleventh Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross and he was numbered with transgressors.

‘They crucified Jesus there with criminals, one on his right and one on his left.‘ Luke 23:33

Clothe us in your spirit, that we may bring love to those who do not know you.

Twelfth Station

Jesus on the cross. Mary, his mother and Simon Peter, his friend were at the foot of the cross…

Welcome, Warriors and Worship

By faithgoeswalkabout

On March 6, 2016

In Lent, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is 0.6 degrees south of the equator. It is an Oceanic country just to the north of NE Australia, with offshore islands in Melanesia in the South West Pacific Ocean.

It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with 848 languages. It’s 7 million people live in mainly rural populations and in the few towns and cities. The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and there are earthquakes and active volcanoes. It is surrounded by coral reefs and in the highlands there are dense rainforest and a rugged terrain across the mountains, the highest of which is Mt Willhelm at 4,509 metres.

Our pilgrims in 2015 came from 3 countries and 3 dioceses. Norwich Diocese in the Uk, Waiapu in New Zealand and Rockhampton in Queensland Australia.

We journeyed together as pilgrims in anticipation of what was ahead in this far away place, certain that we those we would meet, would share our love of God.

How would it work with warriors? How would we be worshiping and what kind of welcome awaited us?

Rev’d Sue Martin

Faithgoeswalkabout.org/papuanewguinea

Diocese of Norwich

Lent 2016

By faithgoeswalkabout

On February 5, 2016

In Lent

Lent is a church season after Epiphany and marks the time when Jesus went into the wilderness before returning to Jerusalem and eventually into the Easter story.

The time for Jesus to be alone, with only God by his side. He faced many difficulties and problems, he met with hunger and thirst, he met with the devil at his back, he knew what lay ahead for his time on earth.

But still he continued and lay down his life for us.

So, what do we do today to mark Lent, to acknowledge the season and be at least aware of all that we are given. There are many Lent courses, which can lead you into a path of understanding and a journey towards Easter.

This year our Diocese of Norwich has a Lent Appeal to raise money and awareness of Papua New Guinea and specifically to raise money for a school called Christ the King in 8 Mile Settlement in Port Moresby.

In September last year I was fortunate to be part of a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea and it was a life changing experience. A country where 98% of the population are Christians, mainly from Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches. The Norwich Diocese has strong links with Papua New Guinea through their first bishop and subsequent bishops.

For now, please look at the Lent Appeal in Norwich and also visit my blog on faithgoeswalkabout.papuanewguinea.It will give you some initial information.

My intention is that I will write a blog entry every week about Papua New Guinea and a prayer for every day. I hope you enjoy reading this and understanding the links with Lent, in reflection, in wilderness, and in dreams for mankind.

Rev’d Sue Martin Norwich Diocese