In everything

 

The fullness of joy

Is to behold God

In everything.

–Julian of Norwich

Marconi Beach, Welfleet, Cape Cod

 

Cape Cod, the Sands of Time

 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcre in 2022

 

Pilgrimage

 Pilgrimage

Chimayo, New Mexico

"And I blessed God that I was free to wander,

free to hope,

and free to love."

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Resources on Pilgrimage

Life as Pilgrimage with Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral and Ed Bacon (2013)

A Pilgrim's Progress sermon by Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral (2013)

The English Pilgrimage To Canterbury Cathedral | Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve | Timeline

Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve: Jerusalem | Absolute History

"And I blessed God that I was free to wander,

free to hope,

and free to love."

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Chimayo in the snow

Santa Croce, Firenze

 

Firenze in Invierno

 

All Souls Day at Westminster Abbey

 

photo credit

Several years ago while in college, I was studying in Europe and made a trip up to England to visit a friend and to see some of the sights there.  I was excited that my friend was staying in Kent, and I would be able to go to Canterbury Cathedral to attend church and poke around in the town.  But, before going to Kent, I was in London in early November, visiting museums and churches, and doing the tourist thing.  On November 2nd, I made my way over to Westminster Abbey, where I was to meet up with one of the canons of the Abbey.  A mutual friend made the connection for me, and I was poking around the Abbey on a terribly rainy and cold day.  Not being totally keyed into the liturgical calendar, I was able to learn a bit about All Souls Day while in Westminster Abbey.  Since it was such a cold and rainy day, and since there are endless things to see and to visit, I stayed there much of the day.  Since All Souls Day is also known as the Feast of the Faithful Departed when many Christians remember all those who have died in the last year, it became a rich and deep place to observe the holiday.  In addition, just the day before, one of the elderly canons (priests in a leadership role) at the Abbey had died. So, along with the rainy day, the soulful Abbey (full of tombs!), and the occasion of the death of the canon it really was a wonderful place to learn about All Souls Day, and about the depth of our Anglican Tradition - not merely by reading about it or talking about it, but by doing it.   I entered Westminster Abbey a tourist, and left a pilgrim.

I pray that we all take time today to reflect upon All Souls Day and pray for all those who have died, and pray for us, that we might live in a way that is full, abundant, and holy.

Blessings on All Souls Day,

~The Rev. Peter M.Carey

photo credit

photo credit

Santa Croce, Firenze, Italia

 

Judean Desert view

 

Mont Saint-Michel

 

Tower of Pisa

 

St. Peter's Basilica, Roma

 

8 January ~ Epiphany ~ Companions matter

With whom are you traveling?  With whom are you associating?  With whom are you spending your time?  It matters.  Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked.  Happy are they who do not walk with those who do nothing but gripe and complain.  Happy are they who do not linger with "energy vampires"(hat-tip to Jon Gordon for that term).  Keep your positive energy, keep your spirits high.  The journey is long, the pilgrimage to see the Lord is also best spent if you allow God to be with you along the way.  Happy are we if we keep counsel with the good, if we plant ourselves by streams of living water, if we allow good fruit to be produced in our lives.  Prosperity and happiness, true prosperity and true happiness will be with us if we stick to the good.

Psalm 1

1Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of

the wicked, *

nor lingered in the way of sinners,

nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2Their delight is in the law of the LORD, *

and they meditate on his law day and night.

3They are like trees planted by streams of water,

bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *

everything they do shall prosper.

7 January ~ Epiphany ~ Follow the Light

In the past, men and women of old followed the star to find the baby Jesus.  In this marvelous hymn/poem, we have the wonderful imagery that we are also on a journey, we also are "on camino," on a pilgrimage always to seek and to find God.  Seeking God, following the light and enduring the journey, every step, until we find God in the most surprising of places.  And there, when we have encountered God, we lay down our treasures, whatever they may be - all things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.  And this giving is in Joy!  the joy of completing a journey, of the pilgrimage to follow the light, and to seek, and ultimately, to find God.

As with gladness, men of old

As with gladness, men of old

Did the guiding star behold

As with joy they hailed its light

Leading onward, beaming bright

So, most glorious Lord, may we

Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped

To that lowly manger bed

There to bend the knee before

Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare

At that manger rude and bare;

So may we with holy joy,

Pure and free from sin's alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

~William Chatterton Dix

Mission Farm

Psalm 23

Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.