Pilgrim's Progress

We are pilgrims on a journey
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
(Richard Gillard)

7 July 2020 was due to see celebrations in Canterbury to mark the day 800 years ago when the bones of Thomas Becket were 'translated' to a new location. The shrine created is long gone but a candle still burns in honour of the martyred Archbishop.

Although Coronavirus put an end to most of the events planned to mark 'Beckett 800', easing of Government restrictions allowed the Cathedral to reopen just in time for a service to take place.

Canterbury Cathedral is at the end of the old Pilgrim's Way. In Medieval time pilgrims flocked to the city in hope of being blessed by God. Some travelled from Winchester, others from London. While some made the journey alone many, like those in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, journeyed together.

In 2020 Christians have found ways to journey together despite being unable to gather in church buildings. Modern communications systems have enabled us to 'walk the mile' and 'share the load' in challenging times. We have experienced God's blessing through the support of our fellow pilgrims. Our pilgrimage has changed us, as it did the pilgrims of the past. As we journey on we do so in confidence, in company and in the certain knowledge that God will continue to bless, comfort and heal all those who step out in faith on the road that lies ahead.

By the rivers of Babylon

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
There on the poplars we hung our harps...
How can we sing the Lord's song while in a foreign land?
(Psalm 137)

We live in unusual times. Four months ago the world we knew was turned upside down. Almost everything changed. We have been living in a foreign land.

As the summer holidays get underway this year things are changing again. Businesses, community facilities and churches are gradually reopening. Although the changes are welcome this is no return to the old world. COVID 19 has changed everything. 

Worshipping together in our church buildings will be different. Our harps must be left 'hanging on the poplars' for now. Many will wonder how, without music, we will manage to 'sing' the Lord's song in this foreign land.

When Israel returned from exile in Babylon the people faced similar challenges. During the years in exile the traditions were kept alive in the hope that one day worship would be as it was before. Eventually the Temple was rebuilt and they were able to sing the Lord's song once again.

Christian worship this summer not be as it was before. As we begin to meet together we do so in hope that sometime soon we will be able to reclaim the 'harps' and sing praise once again.

Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

Music and worship have taken on a new aspect this year. With online services replacing gatherings in church YouTube videos have come into their own. Organists once searched multiple hymn books to find the 'right' tune for favourite hymns. In 2020 we now find ourselves spending hours locating our preferred version of that special worship song or hymn.

Music is an important part of Sunday worship in most Christian churches. The ban imposed on congregational singing will be hard to bear for many of us.

For the next two Sundays, our online church service features songs and hymns chosen by members of the congregation. Those taking part have each offered a brief explanation for their choice. We may not be able as yet to sing together in church but our worship in 'psalms, hymns and spiritual songs' is unceasing.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Consider the lilies

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27)

In our ever changing times there is something reassuring about the way the natural world goes on as usual. Flowers bloom, bees gather on lavender bushes, and when the sun shines as it did last week, everything in the garden is rosy.

We have lived, and continue to live, in the shadow of a global pandemic. Sickness and death have been a daily reality. The lilies in all their magnificent, short-lived glory, cheer and encourage us in the midst of our fear.

As we look to an uncertain future we gaze upon the lilies and wonder at the One who made this thing of such beauty.