.

I spent time yesterday afternoon at the bedside of a dying young person, and sitting and waiting with the family.

As I drove home I reflected that across Aotearoa and in every part of the world there are people in similarly difficult circumstances; feeling helpless and even more tragically hopeless in the midst of suffering.

While in this Jubilee Year with its Pilgrims of Hope theme some will be visiting travel agents and arranging traditional pilgrimages to holy places, the heart of our Christian faith is that the greatest pilgrimage of all time is not a human pilgrimage to a distant sanctuary but the pilgrimage of God to us in human reality.

That’s why we all recognise the image above as the Christmas reminder that God’s chosen point of entry into human existence was both unexpected and unlikely.

Who would have imagined that the long-awaited King-Messiah would chose an unlikely couple – refugees at the time of the birth, no maternity suite nor palace in sight, perhaps a few animals sheltering in the same cave, some shepherds, and within weeks a long trek to Egypt.

While we understandably appreciate and value pilgrimages to Hiruharama on the Whanganui river in the steps of Suzanne Aubert or to holy places in more distant lands, the real life of a pilgrim is to let Jesus encounter each of us every day in the midst of our often unwanted, unwarranted and often difficult circumstances.

And the good news is that when we call to Jesus, passionately expressing our need, and also crying out on behalf of those we love, and those we hear of in local and world news reports, Jesus does not miss the invitation and will come, will comfort, forgiving, healing, strengthening and bringing new hope.

I am grateful to have your company on this Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope.

CAFE GATHERINGS

Send your date and time to add to the list, and just turn up at at one of the advertised gatherings, just one hour, focussing on where we are encountering Christ.

CHRISTCHURCH
Tuesday 11 March 9.30am
Invitation from John O’C
Daydream Cafe,
247 Waimairi Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041

NEW PLYMOUTH
Wednesday 12 March 10.00am
Invitation from Joan
Stumble Inn
200 Mangorei Road New Plymouth

CHRISTCHURCH
Invitation from John O’C
Wednesday 12 March 11.30am
Urban Eatery (Oderings)
205 Cashmere Road, Hoon Hay, Christchurch 8025

WHANGANUI
Thursday 13 March 7.00am (note correction – am not pm)
Invitation from Kate
St Mary’s Church, Whanganui.

TRENTHAM
Tuesday 18th March 1pm
Invitation from Kat
Cafe Equinox
458 Fergusson Drive, Trentham,