I am writing this from Assisi, Italy. I am not sure there is any place that exudes holiness and peace more than Assisi. I am on a pilgrimage, so I thought I would reflect on the idea of pilgrimage.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines pilgrimage as: “A trip, often a long one, made to a holy place for religious reasons.” When we think of pilgrimage, this is what we think of — namely, someone or a group of people travelling a considerable distance for religious reasons. A pilgrim often experiences getting tired. Sometimes they miss their customary diet and that can bring discomfort. Pilgrims can sometimes be frustrated with waiting in lines or a myriad of ways they can be uncomfortable.
I think however, it would be helpful to remember that our lives are considered a pilgrimage.
We are not at home so long as we are in this world. We were not made for here; we are made to be with God for all eternity in the place that He has prepared for us. There will be many forms of discomfort on this pilgrimage of life, but I think it helps to remind ourselves that God made us for eternity, and not just eternity, but eternity with Him. Our hearts are restless, until they rest in God (thanks for that St. Augustine). You can use a screwdriver to pry open a window, but it is not what that tool is designed to do. It will not really be fulfilled until it is doing what it was made to do (I have never had a screwdriver tell me otherwise).
We are pilgrims and we do not belong to this land. We are designed for union with God in heaven. The more we live that way now, the closer we will be to being happy and fulfilled. Draw closer to the Lord. Make Him the center of your life and see if that doesn’t bring an increase of peace and joy into your life. It has certainly been true in my life that I am most at peace when I am most intimate with the Lord, and I am most agitated and restless when I allow myself to drift from Him.
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org