Living Water
Virtual Pilgrimage
Introduction
This page describes a “virtual pilgrimage”, a pilgrimage for those who want to go on a pilgrimage but can't get out and about for any reason, for example family responsibilities, financial considerations, or impaired mobility. Look at this page for more on virtual pilgrimage.
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.
I felt led to “examine a previous thought”, having recently re-read chapter 7 verses 37 to 39 from the gospel of John. I was reminded that Jesus stood up at a religious festival, and said in a loud voice “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” This was followed by the promise that for those who believed in him “rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
On reflection, I realised that these are quite abstract concepts.
In recent years, many churches have “live streamed” their services. In effect their content, the worship, teaching and preaching, ‘‘flows out’’ beyond the building to a potentially much wider audience. This practice became even more prevalent during the Covid lockdown period.
But what does it mean for us as individuals to be a “living stream” as “living waters” flow out from within us?
After more than 40 years as a follower of Jesus, these are not new concepts for me. Nevertheless, I realised that it was a while since I had reflected these promises, so I made a virtual pilgrimage into the relevant verses: John 7.37-39:
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
I was reminded of the river Bèze in France which springs up fully formed and flowing.
For my “virtual destination”, I chose Waverley Abbey. This is close to Farnham in Surrey, about five or six miles from where I live in Church Crookham.
I felt led to this destination because, although I have regularly visited for real in the past, new things are happening there that I felt may be relevant to my search.
I was inspired by their vision to “Encounter and Transformation for A New Generation - do you want to encounter God and be transformed so you can change the world?”
You can find out more about Waverley Abbey here: https://www.waverleyabbey.org/
2. Pilgrim Journey
“Set your heart on pilgrimage”, Psalm 84.5
During the journey review and reflect on these thoughts and experiences, looking for anything new or perhaps inconsistent with previous experience and understanding.
Prompted by the verses of Scripture, John 7.37-39, I found myself reflecting on two significant questions, if I am to respond to Jesus's invitation:
What does it mean to come to Jesus and drink?
What does it mean to have a river of living water flowing from within me?
So on with the journey! To get from my home in Church Crookham to Waverley Abbey means going up and over a sandy ridge that separates the Thames valley to the north from the Wey valley to the south. On the journey, I encountered a number of features that testified, in the physical sense, to the vital importance of water in our lives.
The sandy ridge includes an ancient hill fort called Caesars Camp. Following the contours of the fort, and elsewhere in the area, are water-catchment channels. These were created in the mid-Victorian era, in response to the acute water shorter in the growing Aldershot military camp that is nearby. This was particularly acute as Aldershot housed a large number of cavalry regiments, with thousands of horses to keep watered as well as soldiers.
The catchment channels emptied into open water storage reservoirs, such as this one on the lower slopes of Caesars Camp.
Water was also stored in covered reservoirs, some now defunct like the one shown, as methods of water storage and supply have changed.
Now on the other side of the sandy ridge, here is the river Wey going through the centre of the town of Farnham. Its presence was vital to the viability of the community throughout history, a source of water and also a transport route.
So, what do I learn from these various features? They are a reminder that throughout my life I have very often taken water for granted. But this landscape reminds me just how much effort goes into collecting and storing water. Whereas at one time people might very well have gone and drawn water from the nearby river, it would not be practical now in our dense conurbations. As older methods become obsolete, we are grateful for newer water supply services to our homes and elsewhere.
The photo shows Mother Ludlam's Cave, a spring of water flowing out into the community. It is a small cave in a sandstone cliff adjacent to the river Wey and close to Waverley Abbey. In the 13th century it is recorded that a monk named Symon identifed the spring as a suitable water supply for the Abbey.
Interestingly, the name comes from various legends about the spring, including speculation that it may have been a healing well. Picturesque and curious, but again redundant as a primary water source for the community - water now comes to Waverley Abbey House via pipes from the mains. But what about the spiritual flow? Time now for the Prayerful Arrival...
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.
Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” What does it mean to come to Jesus and drink? I revisited a format I was introduced to some time ago.
Pay attention to longing
How do you articulate your longing for God and authentic spiritual transformation? How badly do you want to do that? Are you willing to rearrange your life to attend to that desire?
I was reminded of the verse I was given at my baptism about 45 years ago: “so walk ye in Jesus ... rooted and built up in him” Col 2.6-7 - a mix of both abiding [rooted] and going [walking].
Inventory
Take an inventory. Start with subtraction, before you begin addition, of time wasters. Are the things I’m investing my time in moving me towards my desired outcome? We need to make space for transformation, not just jam more things into a busy life.
This is a challenge to be open to the unexpected, rather than trying to create the unexpected, and end up too busy to be responsive.
Choose life
Pay attention to the things that are life giving and transformational - which ones are stretching you? What practices are potent and powerful as you move towards your desire?
This challenges me to be faithful in daily reflection, meditation and prayer, and to cultivate trusted soul friends. I also seek poems, stories, music, artwork, films etc. that inform or inspire me, from heroes, heroines, saints, mystics, world figures, friend and family members.
Make a plan
On a regular basis, review all of the above, and aspire to maintain balance in the practice of the three exercises.
Take it all to God and to a friend
Take it to your group, your spouse, your spiritual director. Set up accountability. Invite people to check in with you.
Well, I guess running a website is one way of doing it!
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.
Jesus also said “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
What can I put back into the community from what I have received during this journey? For the moment, it is to share with you this website and hopefully the concept of virtual pilgrimage will be valuable for at least some.
Meanwhile, having arrived at Waverley Abbey, [albeit virtually!], I can certainly testify that over the years resources have been a great blessing to me. And just as some of the old water systems we passed on the journey are now being reconfigured for a new time, so Waverley Abbey is changing as well.
As mentioned abouve, more information about Waverley Abbey can be found here: https://www.waverleyabbey.org/