A Road Trip Through Lent

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of pilgrimage lately.

I love to travel and often do, even if it’s just a quick getaway from the city to decompress before I do something dumb like quit my job at lunchtime on a random Wednesday. Lately I’ve been mulling over: what is the difference between a trip and a pilgrimage?

I think that in many ways the logistics of each can look quite similar. They each involve planning, going somewhere, and (usually) returning. But I believe that for something to be a pilgrimage, there must be a very specific intention behind it. The most frequent examples we are given of pilgrimage involves people of certain faiths going to specific locations that are important to that faith’s history, such as the Islamic Hajj. But I believe we all - regardless of faith or beliefs - make pilgrimages in our lives. And I believe those pilgrimages come in all shapes and sizes.

In 2017 I took what I would consider to be a pilgrimage of sorts to Maine. Why did I go to Maine? I wanted to see whales. I had a week off of work, a rental car, and a tent. I researched a few whale watching spots and found one in Maine that seemed at least a little promising given that it was pretty late in the whale watching season. I knew where my journey was going to end. I did not know what would happen in the middle, but I had prepared the best my newly-sober 20-something self could. (You can read some of the messy details of that trip here if you like.) I did not end up seeing whales. I went out on the boat two days in a row, and we never found any of those magnificent creatures. But what I did find was a connection with myself, the people I met along the way, nature, and God. As with most pilgrimages, the journey there and back was just as important as the destination.

But not all the pilgrimages in my life are this big. I get pedicures every other week. I choose a day, I set aside a chunk of time to be unavailable to anyone but myself, and I walk the five blocks to my favorite salon. I leave feeling refreshed and revitalized, and return home by a different route than I took to get there. This, too, feels like a pilgrimage.

Although there is a lot not to like about organized religion, I find the rhythms of the liturgical calendar to be very comforting. The Christian calendar is about to enter a period known as Lent. To some, this is a time of reflection, deeper intention in daily spiritual practices, and ritual fasting. To most, it’s the 40 days of the year their strict Catholic aunt gives them side-eye for eating chocolate. To me, Lent is a pilgrimage toward Easter that follows a well-worn path that many others have walked before me. It has a clear destination, but no set route.

This year I'm picturing this Lenten pilgrimage as a road trip where flat tires and detours may occur. Because every great road trip needs a good playlist, I’ve decided that for my personal practice this year I’m going to try to do a pretty straight-forward daily devotional time that involves reading, listening, and perhaps a little bit of rocking out.

If you wish to follow along with me, I invite you to do so. The calendar of readings, songs, and my personal outline for how I’ll be framing these daily pauses are all below. If you would like to get a daily email for this Road Trip Through Lent, please sign up here. I’m offering this as pay-what-you-wish with details in the sign-up sheet. Each day's email will include:

1. The scripture reading for the day

2. A link to the song for the day

3. The typed-out lyrics (and English translations if necessary) for the song of the day.

4. A brief reflection, poem, or prayer

I look forward to meeting some of you along the highway and hearing about your adventures.

---

This practice may be done alone or in a group. The outline is only a suggestion. I encourage people and groups to go off the beaten path on this road trip and make it their own.

Words of Welcome*

LEADER: This is the map that begins with a star.

ALL: This is the chart that starts with fire,

LEADER: With blazing, with an ancient light

ALL: That has outlasted generations, empires, cultures, wars.

Scripture (See calendar for the day’s reading.)

Music of the Day*

LEADER:

Close your eyes

and see how the map

begins to blossom

behind your lids,

how it constellates,

its lines stretching out

from where you stand.

(Play the song of the day from the calendar, or a song that moves your heart. All are invited to move as much or as little as their hearts desire during this musical interlude.)

Reflection

(Spend a few minutes in meditation - whatever that looks like and means to you.)

Prayers of the People:

LEADER: May God be gracious to us and bless us

ALL: And make his face to shine upon us,

LEADER: That your way may be known upon earth,

ALL: Your saving power among all nations.

LEADER: Holy Spirit, you move in, through, and with each of us on our pilgrimages through life. We pray that you shine a light on the signposts we need to follow, the rest stops that provide shelter and sustenance, the scenic back roads that wind through your glorious creation, and the shortcuts that will get us to safe havens in spite of deep fatigue. No matter where we are going or where we have been, we praise your name, knowing that you have always been - and always will be - where we were, where we are, and where we are going.

LEADER: What do the people of God wish to leave behind them on this journey? (All are invited to share their answers aloud or silently in their hearts.)

LEADER: What do the people of God wish to move toward as their pilgrimage continues?

(All are invited to share their answers aloud or silently in their hearts.)

LEADER: What do the people of God need God to provide today, in order that they may complete their voyage?

(All are invited to share their answers aloud or silently in their hearts.)

LEADER: As we look down and contemplate where we stand, we ask you to bring purpose and meaning to each step. Guide us in your pathways, and be with us always.

ALL: Amen.

Benediction*

LEADER:

Step out

and you will know

what the wise who traveled

this path before you

knew:

The treasure in this map

is buried

Not at journey’s end

but at its beginning.

Dismissal

LEADER: Go in peace, Christ walks with you.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

*Note: Text for the Words of Welcome, Music of the Day, and Benediction were taken from the poem “Where the Map Begins” by Jan Richardson.