An example of a Domestic Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage in which you move around a home, garden or both
Review your current accommodation. Think about the space that is available to you, and consider how you could make a pilgrim journey around it. This may be where you live, but equally it may be church or some other suitable building.
We can meet with God anywhere but some like to identify a ‘thin place’ in the chosen location. This is somewhere where it is easier to hear from Him. (For more on 'thin places' see explorefaith's page "Where can I touch the edge of heaven?")
There are no hard and fast rules with regard to the time spent on each stage, it could be a few minutes or a much longer period, depending on your circumstances.
In this example of a Domestic Pilgrimage, the steps are laid out sequentially but this is only a guide or framework. The steps can be used flexibly, according to need and preference.
[1] Holy Longing
“Examine yourselves” - 2 Corinthians 13.5
The pilgrim journey begins with new thoughts or experiences that are in some way challenging, or a desire to examine previous thoughts or experiences.
This, for example, could be in the kitchen area, with its associations of preparation.
Yearning - ask yourself, what is the 'holy longing' or 'restless searching' that is prompting you, personally, to make a pilgrim journey?
This journey was in response to a book I had been reading, “The 10-Second Rule: Just Do the Next Thing” by Clare De Graaf. This book invites a more spontaneous response to seemingly chance encounters in life, where your heart tells that you that you should get involved, despite your natural inclination to do otherwise. This is intended to counteract our tendency to focus primarily on our own comfort and needs, to the detriment of a more radical, sacrificial, Christian life.
As I started looking into the challenges of the book, another consideration arose: if I do find myself opting for a “more radical, sacrificial” life, the suspicion is that it will be less comfortable. So how can I be sure that I am hearing God’s voice, rather than some other prompting?
I opted to use the Domestic Pilgrimage as neither the Wayfaring nor Neighbourhood Pilgrimage were practical at the time.
Position - As you settle after each move as you journey around your home or accommodation, choose a position you can realistically maintain. It may be sitting, standing or even lying.
Choose a position that combines practicality and enables a reverent attitude.
For this element of the journey, I located myself in the kitchen, partly because there is a very comfortable place to sit at the work surface, and partly because of the symbolic association with preparing food.
Posture - As you prepare to journey, maintain a good posture to prevent stresses and tension
Scripture - Identify the issue that is of significance to you, together with a relevant passage of Scripture to explore.
With these thoughts in mind, I decided to reflect on Ephesians 2.1-10 which includes the verses:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I then used the following guidelines:
Read - slowly read the passage into which you wish to journey
Think - about what you are reading, focusing on each part of the passage
Re-read - the passage several times
Listen - be attentive to God in the silence, constantly listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit.; see if a word or phrase is particularly relevant for you
The next three stages, ending with the Servant Response, took about an hour. This is simply my experience on this occasion. How long you spend will vary with how you feel led, opportunity and circumstances.
[2] Pilgrim Journey
“Set your heart on pilgrimage” - Psalm 84.5
This is the step where you review and reflect on your thoughts and experiences. In particular, look for anything new or perhaps inconsistent with previous experience and understanding.
To reinforce the sense of travel, the Pilgrim Journey is based upon movement around where you live, no matter how small it is. It might also involve your garden if you have one.
Journey - As you journey through the passage, memorize any relevant word or phrase.
As forecast, it was a still but chilly and damp day. I made my circuit round the garden, with the low cloud and flat light really making it a very sombre occasion. The movement served its purpose of reinforcing the sense of progression, although I was very glad to use the downstairs bedroom as a refuge for a time of meditation. But no different, I guess, to a refugio on a long pilgrimage or the Maison Dieu that once accommodated pilgrim travellers in Dover.
Meditate - Think reflectively upon what you have been reading. Take it into yourself. Allow it to interact with your inner landscape of concerns, memories, and ideas.
With regards to the outcome of the mediation, there were no ground-breaking insights. But supported by other scriptures as well, it was a helpful of confirmation the need to both listen and to be obedient, with other Christians around to consult as a safe-guard.
Companionship - Maintain an awareness of God as your companion on the journey. This could be important as there are challenging places along the route to be overcome. It is also possible to do this with a friend.
Posture Maintain awareness of your posture.
Perseverance - Keep unhurriedly reviewing verses until you sense your journey is ending.
[3] Prayerful Arrival
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” - Romans 12.2
Your reflections on the journey become formulated into definite ideas and prayers. Draw conclusions from your experiences and reflections, forming new thoughts or modifying existing concepts.
This, for example, could be at a threshold, or perhaps in a place you normally associate with having a quiet time. For this stage in my journey, I used the conservatory which has often been a “thin place” in the past.
I used the following pattern, speaking to God about my recent journey:
Abide in God - Spend time dwelling and resting in the presence of God
Pray - Speak to God about your recent journey, reflecting back what you have discovered during your meditation
Give thanks for all that has been shown to you along the way
Confess - Recognise the thoughts that may have led you astray
Entreat - Ask God to give you the wisdom and courage to enter into all he has been showing you. Pray that you will receive blessing through the transformed ideas and memories that your reflection on his Word has awakened.
Posture - Maintain awareness of your posture
[4] Servant Response
“Love one another” - John 13.34
The practical application of what you have learnt from your pilgrimage through the Scriptures. Prompted by what you have learnt on your journey, commit to appropriate areas of service in God’s Kingdom.
This, for example, could be in your living area, where you can reflect on what you learnt during your pilgrimage. This could be particularly appropriate if you are sharing your experience with other people, as historically the ‘parlour’ was where people went to talk.
Decide how you will respond to the insights received during your pilgrimage.
Review your resources
It may be useful to discuss your promptings with other people; this can be particularly helpful to test the legitimacy of what you have been hearing
Decide if there is something specific to do
Plan to put into practice your new understanding
Be prepared to hear the call to further journeys
Posture - Maintain awareness of your posture
I sat by the bedroom window for this final part of the journey.
Pilgrimage may be understood to be circular, with this final stage leading on to a further cycle beginning a further Holy Longing. But in fact, following the ‘way’ of Jesus is ultimately is a linear journey, hence use of ‘response’ as the final stage rather than ‘return’. This understanding highlights the need to move away from where you started, promoting instead the idea of ‘lifelong learning’.
In this instance my response is to go on studying “The 10-Second Rule: Just Do the Next Thing” by Clare De Graaf and putting its recommendations into practice. As this was an exercise I have done by myself, I could see that my response definitely needs to be an on-going process, as I wait to share with others as opportunity arises. This pilgrimage had a strong sense of being beginning at the surface, and then going deeper and deeper.
