One of the truer joys of any pilgrimage is meeting and bonding with fellow travelers along The Way. Truly sincere & heartfelt connections don’t always blossom, of course. In fact, they rarely do. And yet every now and then (“One in every thousand, and two in every ten thousand,” said Jesus astutely in the Gospel of Thomas) such profound unions of heart & mind do occur – when each is wholly interested in hearing and appreciating the other; when it is both felt & known that both parties will carry their meeting – however brief it might be – within them for the rest of their days, and that both their selves and their lives will be forever bettered thereby. Such was my short yet intense encounter with Americans Lindsay (Florida) and Kate (Wisconsin), two kind young women who were deeply intrigued both by my walk itself, as well as by the ethical principles that had inspired the same …

“Blessed are the humble, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who honor the loss of loved ones, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for equal justice, for their yearning will be fulfilled. Blessed are the merciful, for they are those who receive mercy. Blessed are the pure of Heart, for they will constantly witness the Divine. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the true Children of the Father. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of love & compassion, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are those who are reviled and persecuted and slandered, for in the same way have all the world’s prophets & saints been persecuted … Ever remember that you are the light of the world, so let your light shine upon all others so that they might bear witness to your kindness and then similarly honor the Father who resides in their Hearts as well.” ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3-16)

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt