Why a Pilgrimage?

“The two disciples heard [John proclaim Jesus the Lamb of God]…and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Come and see.’” (Jn. 1:37-39)

“[When Jesus learned that Lazarus died] he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep.” (Jn. 11:34-35)

Come and see. This is the invitation continuously woven through the gospel of John, which seems to be suggesting that some things can only be known through journey and witness. “Come and see” is a refrain exchanged between Jesus and disciples, the woman at the well and her neighbors, and finally, Lazarus’ friends and Jesus. In this gospel, it is Jesus who first issues the invitation to “come and see” who he is, how he abides, and ultimately, what the very meaning of his life is. Eventually, it is the people Jesus seeks to cure, save, and love who return his invitation back to him at the death of Lazarus. “Lord, come and see” they say, when Jesus asks where the body of his friend rests. This is still the Church’s persistent prayer: Lord, come and see. Lord, come and see our suffering. Come and see our desperation. Come and see our brokenness. And how does our Lord reply? Jesus weeps.

We share the belief of St. John; some things can only be known through journey and witness. To say it another way, in the words of the Rev. Dr. George Dewey Carter, Jr., former Director of Field Education at Louisville Seminary, “It is not enough to profess. We have to practice. It is not enough to talk. We have to do. It is not enough to say, 'Ain’t it awful.' We have to get close enough to get hurt.”

On a pilgrimage, we follow Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” where he dwells in our neighbor, in the broader church beyond our walls, and in our nation’s history. On a pilgrimage, we pray, “Lord, come and see” and lift to Jesus the sin and violence of the world, petitioning him for peace and new life and trusting that Jesus weeps with us. On a pilgrimage, we listen to God’s Spirit which still calls us to “come and see” all that is still possible for the healing of the world.

We will make this pilgrimage following the One who invites us to come and see because it is our abiding hope that such journey and witness profoundly transforms our faith and reforms our sense of our discipleship and citizenship.
Grace and peace, Rev. Keatan King

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