An example of a Virtual Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage in which you don’t necessarily get up and about to make a journey
Collect pictures, memory triggers and online resources, or use an artistic project, to stimulate your imagination to go on a virtual journey. More information can be found on the page “What is a Virtual Pilgrimage”.
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 Virtual 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.
Fiat Lux Pilgrimage:
let there be light
Western Motel by Edward Hopper
[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.
Yearning - ask yourself, what is the 'holy longing' or 'restless searching' that is prompting you, personally, to make a pilgrim journey?
I felt led to explore the concept of light within the Scriptures.
Position - Choose a position you can realistically maintain, it may be sitting, standing or even lying. Alternatively, you may use regular short journeys as an opportunity to meditate.
Choose something that combines practicality and enables a reverent attitude.
Posture - As you prepare to journey, maintain a good posture in whatever position you have selected to prevent stresses and tension.
Scripture - Identify the issue that is of significance to you, together with a relevant passage of Scripture to explore.
The following may help:
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
I appreciated that light is used to symbolize God, faith, and holiness throughout Scripture. I was also aware that, as Christians, we are called to both walk in the light and also be the light for others.
I chose to reflect on the following verses:
Light at Creation: “And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light”. Genesis 1.3
Light in the World: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ “ John 8.12
Living in the Light: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5.1
[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.
Journey - As you journey through the passage, memorize any relevant word or phrase.
To help develop a sense of journey, I found pictures on the internet using searches for “Bible” and “light” to illustrate the chosen themes. Some of these I prepared beforehand, copying them into a document, others I searched for as the journey progressed. It proved to be a journey that took me onto the Emmaus Road, by way of Woolacombe in North Devon!
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.
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.
Posture Maintain awareness of your posture.
Perseverance - Keep unhurriedly reviewing verses until you sense your journey is ending.
I spent some time pondering what we understand by ‘light’? The dictionary definitions are very extensive, including:
[a] The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
[b] Understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment - for example “She saw light dawn on the woman’s face”
[c] A person eminent in a particular sphere of activity, for example “Volunteers have been the shining lights of the community
I decided to explore each of these headings in turn, linking them to the Bible verses identified.
[a] The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible
Light at Creation: “And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light.” Genesis 1.3
Wenzel Peter, in his painting “Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden”, vividly evokes the wonder aroused when we see creation in the light of God.
Equally, I really like the work of Edward Hopper who portrays light in such an effective way as in “A Room by the Sea”.
Praise the Lord for light! I am very grateful to have seen so many wonderful places. The railway poster for Woolacombe captures something of the seascape I have seen many times there on holiday.
[b] Understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment - “She saw light dawn on the woman’s face”
Light in the World: ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’ John 8.12
The Greek philosopher Plato tells the story of some prisoners who live in chains in a cave. They cannot see the world outside prison, they can only observe the shadows projected on the wall from the objects and statues carried by other humans. These prisoners spend their lives watching a series of puppet shows.
Plato wrote: ‘Men like these would maintain that the truth is nothing but the shadow of the artificial things that these men perceive through their senses, their eyes.’
This picture is a modern take on Plato’s Cave, showing prisoners mistaking social media for reality. (It is an interesting irony that this picture is being shown on a virtual pilgrimage, via a computer or mobile phone!)
However, Jesus said “I am the light of the world.” This picture of the Nativity scene uses light to good effect, revealing the light coming to the World.
How have I responded to that light? I realise sometimes I have had a gradual enlightenment, as the followers of Jesus did on the road to Emmaus in Luke chapter 24.
And sometimes, although much less frequently, I have had sudden enlightenment, as Paul did on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter 9.
[c] A person eminent in a particular sphere of activity - “Volunteers have been the shining lights of the community
Living in the Light: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5.1
The illustration of Florence Nightingale in “The Lady with The Lamp” illustrates the concept very powerfully.
Charles Dickens portrays the ghost of Christmas Present as holding up a source of light, revealing all the plenty that is around him. It was the call to Scrooge to do likewise with his own resources.
[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.
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
My prayers and images were inspired by the hymn ‘Thou whose almighty word’ by John Marriott
1. Thou whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard
and took their flight
Hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel day
sheds not its glorious ray
Let There Be Light!
This was an opportunity to pray for missions and missionaries that God had laid upon my heart.
2. Saviour who came to bring,
on thy redeeming wing,
healing and sight
Health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind,
now to all humankind
Let There Be Light!
This was an opportunity to pray for the sick, together with medical facilities and personnel.
3. Spirit of truth and love,
lifegiving, holy Dove,
speed forth thy flight
move o’er the waters’ face,
bearing the lamp of grace,
and in earth’s darkest place
Let There Be Light!
I reminded to ask God that truth, love and life prevail.
4. Blessed and holy Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might
boundless as ocean’s tide
rolling in fullest pride,
through the world, far and wide,
Let There Be Light!
This was an opportunity to give thanks for the spiritual light I have received though the wisdom, love and might of the Holy Trinity
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119.105
[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.
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
Retrospectively, the ground covered in the pilgrim journey was perhaps too ambitious. However, the imagery of the Ghost of Christmas Present, as noted above, spoke to me most strongly on this occasion on the theme of living in the light. Scrooge’s second apparition not only revealed plenty, but also Ignorance and Want, who had been hidden beneath his robe.
Scrooge asks… “Spirit! Are they “yours?”… “They are Man’s,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them. “And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers.”
This has challenged me to look at the principles of justice and mercy from a Christian perspective; I was challenged by the following thought...
