Friday Five on Saturday Morning

1. Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? (however you choose to define the term) Share a bit about it. If not, what's your reaction to the idea of pilgrimage?
When I first started going back to church, I began to visit Central American. The presbytery began a relationship with the Moravian church along the Rio Coco in Nicaragua. It was always amazing to me to experience the depth of faith of the people there. They who had so little were always willing to share so much with us. My experiences there were a major factor in my growth in faith. Ireland with my sister: an unexpected pilgrimage. Glendalough is a thin place and unbelievably spiritual. And always San Anselmo. I try to get back there at least once a year: Hiking in the hills and stopping at the lakes refreshes my soul and the joy of my first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge above Golden Gate Park on 19th Ave is amazing. The Bay shimmering from Sausalito.

2. Share a place you've always wanted to visit on pilgrimage. Camino de Santiago. Because it is there. And I love to walk.

3. What would you make sure to pack in your suitcase or backpack to make the pilgrimage more meaningful? Or does "stuff" just distract from the experience? I always take too much. So, just a toothbrush and a change of clothes. Leaving my laptop and camera behind would kill me.

4. If you could make a pilgrimage with someone (living, dead or fictional) as your guide, who would it be? (I'm about thisclose to saying "Besides Jesus." Yes, we all know he was indispensable to those chaps heading to Emmaus, but it's too easy an answer) A friend who teaches in seminary here. She is the wisest person I know.

5. Eventually the pilgrim must return home, but can you suggest any strategies for keeping that deep "mountaintop" perspective in the midst of everyday life? (don't mind me, I'll be over here taking notes) Those experiences should change our lives. If they do, then that change should stay with us over time. Jesus (and Peter and James and John) came down from the mountain top and continued to heal the sick, teach and then Jesus turned his face to Jerusalem. I believe we are to heal the sick, teach and make disciples and work for the kingdom here.