Easter Sunday – We are all Pilgrims
In the Spring of 2019, I embarked on a spiritual journey through Ireland for 15 days. I was one of 15 women, mostly strangers. My first time in Europe. I jumped off the mountain and trusted I would land solidly into myself through this spiritual quest. This reading began my journey, a journey familiar to me now as we walk as pilgrims through the present time.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAR TO TRAVEL by Jan Richardson www.paintedprayerbook.com blog
If you could see
the journey whole
you might never
undertake it;
might never dare
the first step
that propels you
from the place
you have known
toward the place
you know not.
Call it
one of the mercies
of the road:
that we see it
only by stages
as it opens before us,
as it comes into
our keeping
step by
single step.
There is nothing
for it
but to go
and by our going
take the vows
the pilgrim takes:
to be faithful to
the next step;
to rely on more
than the map;
for the wonders that
attend the path;
to press on
beyond distractions
beyond fatigue
beyond what would
tempt you
from the way.
There are vows
that only you
will know;
the secret promises
for your particular path
and the new ones
you will need to make
when the road
is revealed
by turns
you could not
have foreseen.
Keep them, break them,
make them again:
each promise becomes
part of the path;
each choice creates
the road
that will take you
to the place
where at last
you will kneel
to offer the gift
to heed the signposts
of intuition and dream
to follow the star
that only you
will recognize;
to keep an open eye
most needed--
the gift that only you
can give--
before turning to go
home by
another way.
Participants’ Reflections:
• Easter represents hope for new beginnings
• Forsythia have green sprouts on the top representing renewal in passing
• Meditation outside in gratitude
• Did Buddhist Zoom retreat with one on ones
• Joy seeing the Easter bunny
• Gratitude for all of you who represent our families, community and friends
• Gratitude to not know the road ahead when starting something
• Pilgrim image is poignant
• Stars represent meaning to the expansiveness of the universe and every star has meaning to each person
• Meditated on stars; learned from father who was a teacher of celestial navigation
• I experienced an Easter Bunny sighting driving a white convertible!