July 4, 2018 Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. If I were to make a list of “fun things to do,” walking for miles in 85-degree temperatures wouldn’t make the cut. I love being in nature, and I love hot days, but health issues from my childhood left me with arthritis in both hips. Long walks are uncomfortable at best, excruciating at worst. Yet I found myself joining the Massena-area pilgrims marking the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul with a walking pilgrimage. My schedule prevented me from making the complete 13-mile trek. I joined the group within the last few miles. From where I joined the pilgrimage to my first stop, I spent my time fidgeting with my camera equipment, phone and notebook. As I reached the first stop, I was very aware of discomfort in one hip. As we were walking to the next couple stops, I spent my time talking to other pilgrims, including several I had never met before. As we walked and talked, I stopped noticing my discomfort and started forming community. I heard other pilgrims say they talked to people they had never met before, and they were happy to have made new friends in faith. We, as the body of Christ, are called to be a community. We’re called to help one another move toward Christ. We’re called to help each other become saints. Admittedly, becoming a saint is no easy task. We all have struggles. But in my experience, it’s easier to overcome the struggles with help, with the guidance and assistance of community. We are a pilgrim people. We’re trying to forge our path to eternal life in Christ. Let’s walk that path together and lessen each others’ burdens. |
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