Christians believe that they also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by going on pilgrimages which makes them strong and powerful in faith. However, according to the scripture; ‘if faith is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.’ James 2:17. For this Christians believe that they will in some way be with God for ever if they have lived according to the way shown to them by the scripture and fulfilled the ‘actions’ part of being a Christian, by journeying to a sacred place.
Although Christians can pray to God in any place and at any time, some feel that being in a place of pilgrimage can help them in their prayer. They go on pilgrimage to pray for themselves and possibly for others who are ill or for friends or relatives who do not believe in God. Jesus told His disciples that they should be persistent in respect of praying: ‘And so I say to you: ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.’ Luke 11:9. Some Christians also go on pilgrimage to ‘pay back’ God for answering their prayers.
The Gospel accounts of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus are very detailed and the fact that Jesus really died on the cross is of great importance to the Christian faith. As Saint Paul pointed out, the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after His burial is the heart of the Christian faith: ‘If Christ did not rise, our faith is vain.’ By rising from the dead, Jesus overcame the power of death and he gave promise of eternal life to all. A pilgrimage to the places where Jesus was crucified, died and rose again from the dead would certainly help Christians to retrace Jesus’ journey from the ultimate sacrifice to the ultimate glory and the gaps in between; helping them to become more thankful for what Jesus had done for them and to change their attitudes towards the Christian Church, the Body of Christ.
Christians believe in the Communion of Saints. They also believe that if they go on pilgrimage to see particular churches associated with special people or saints, they will be able to communicate with these saints and realise that they ‘should be happy when people insult them and persecute them and tell all kinds of evil likes against them......They should be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for them in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before them were persecuted.’ Matthew 5:11-12.
There are places in this world such as Lourdes where special carers and facilities for the sick are available. People visit them hoping for a cure, either for themselves, or people who are close to them. Again, faith plays an important part in healing: ‘When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, ‘‘Your sins are forgiven, my friend.’’ Luke 5:20. In a similar way, Christians who feel far from God can go on pilgrimage for spiritual healing. Some Christians who had journeyed to these sacred places may have decided to return, simply because they had gained and made so many new friends from the previous one – and this is what holds the whole Christian community together: ‘All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people.’ Acts 2:44-47.
Pilgrimages can have a dramatic effect on the lives of Christians, who go on pilgrimage and come back refreshed, feeling closer to God and ready to preach His word to other people. A group of people going on pilgrimage together can also benefit collectively by getting to know each other due to their common belief in God. New friends can also be made from other countries, particularly if the place of pilgrimage is somewhere like The Holy Land, visited by pilgrims from all over the world. Getting to know the Christian Church in other parts of the world in this way can help Christians to understand God better from a much greater diversity.
Pilgrims returning from a sacred place may feel emotionally healed and, seeing all the poor children with disabilities, in Lourdes for example, may make them realise how lucky they are and begin to appreciate their own gifts given by God. They may also be inspired by walking in the footsteps of Christ which, hopefully, can help them to rediscover what is truly present in their hearts.
Bibliography: Christianity, W. Owen Cole
