Theme
The Way of the Pilgrim
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:20
Anchoring Verse
Our theme for this year is a continuation of last year’s focus on the Ladder of Divine Ascent. It is anchored in Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Orthodox Study Bible).
Who is the Pilgrim?
The word pilgrim is defined as “a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons” or “a person who travels long journeys”. Today the use of this word focuses on the journey, recalling the concept “the journey matters more than the destination”. Yet, at its inception the word focuses neither on the journey or the destination, rather the origin of the traveler as its Latin root peregrinus meant foreign. Pilgrims are not just travelers, they are foreigners. They take what gifts and skills they have and journey to new places, hoping for a better future.Any immigrant can relate to the physical and emotional toil of such a journeyman. As christians, we are called to be pilgrims on this earth. So, where is our origin; where are we from?
Where are we from and where are we going?
St. Paul does not mince his words as he clearly articulates that “our citizenship is in Heaven”. Thus, we must bring into this world, the place of our pilgrimage, the gifts and skills of our home- the Fruit of the Spirit. It is imperative we share our blessings in the places and spaces we are. Still, much like any traveler we have essential tools which are essential for a successful journey.
How can we prepare for the journey?
All travelers need a plan, directions, and experienced support. Our Lord Himself came down to this world to share with us the True Way of life. He taught us how to live in a manner glorifying God in our human nature. The Church provides our directions, helping us navigate dense and complex terrain of life. The saints navigated life in submission to the Lord. They help us navigate the path of faith through the lessons of their experience and their intercession. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to share in one another’s burdens and relish in each other's triumphs. Our mutual support is essential to our success in sharing the Good News of heaven in this land of our pilgrimage. The Lord has blessed us and given us the plan of Christ’s teaching, the directions of the Church’s Wisdom, and assistance from the saints and brothers and sisters in faith. So, how do we put it together effectively? This is an essential lesson we must learn.