“Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.” ― Abraham Joshua Heschel
From the 4th century on, pilgrimages to the Holy Land have been woven into the fabric of religious life. Early Christians were encouraged to make a journey to the landscape that served as a backdrop to the life of Jesus Christ; such pilgrimages continue to this day. Visiting Israel allows one to touch and see the physical manifestations of one’s faith, not just for Christians, but for Muslims and Jews as well.
Every cleric imagines making such a pilgrimage. Studying, preaching and teaching about Jesus is made richer and more tangible through the sacred pilgrimage to the physical land of his life, death and resurrection. Additionally, the physical act of movement towards the Holy Land brings with it a sense of returning home, of journeying towards the place that gives a priest’s life meaning and shape.
I have the opportunity to make such a pilgrimage this January. Through Grace Cathedral and with the support of the vestry, I will travel with a small group to Israel in order to visit the birthplace of our faith. The actual trip is for two weeks. However, in order to adequately prepare and process, I have asked the vestry to support me being absent for a week before and a week after the trip. In order to afford this and to ensure the parish is cared for, I will use one out of my five sabbatical months. As is common for Episcopal clergy, my agreement with St. James’ is that I have a five month sabbatical after five years of service. While a month away is not technically a “sabbatical” (a sabbatical is at least two months and up to twelve months in length), using a portion of my sabbatical time will allow us to have adequate clergy coverage and to use funds set aside for such coverage. The only impact to the church will be a new (but consistent) face on Sunday morning for the weeks I am away. The benefit to the church will be a well-cared-for priest with an expanded pallet of experience and story to share.
My intention is to take a fuller sabbatical in 2017. This future sabbatical will be a time for both the community and me to self-reflect and seek renewal, thus strengthening our common life together. In the meantime, this January I will bring you in my heart to the land of our religion, and I will pray for you at the sites made sacred by the physical presence of Christ. I know I will be held in your prayers as you worship at our own site made sacred by the spiritual and always evident presence of Christ.
Lori+