Renewal

21 April 2013


I have returned from my 15-day pilgrimage with a bad cough which my GP prescribed a further five days of antibiotics. I had already completed a seven-day course of antibiotics when I consulted a doctor in Spain. Many of my fellow pilgrims also fell ill, in part because Europe was experiencing an exceptionally cold Spring and most of the holy shrines we visited were either up in the mountains or in a valley surrounded by the Pyrenees. It was a trying time for many of us, a test of our constitution and of our minds. 

In my last blog, I wrote that the goal of my pilgrimage is to strip off excess baggage. Have I succeeded? Am I 'lighter' now? Yes and no. 

Yes, because I am consciously telling myself to live a simpler life, to always be grateful and not to be distracted by things that are not God; not to desire all the materialistic things blaring everywhere around us - in the shops, in magazines and newspapers and even on radio! One does not, after all need ten pairs of shoes or a half-dozen handbags! In keeping to this 'vow', I can contribute to a greener environment by not accumulating 'excesses'.

Yes, because in each of the churches we visited and celebrated Mass, I had prayed to our Merciful God to help me rid of the 'demons' in me, namely my ego, pride, greed, anger, self-righteousness. I imagine these being burnt and the ashes dissipated into thin air.

No, because of my human weakness. I still have my likes and dislikes of certain people and I still look at situations in a calculating way; all acquired from years of working with different kinds of people.

The upside now is that each time a negative thought comes my way, I am aware of my pilgrim vows, and would reason it in a spiritual way; to look at things objectively and from the other party's perspective. Yes, I  hope to be a tangible witness of my faith, to be fair and wherever possible, to promote reconciliation and peace.

We have a God who loves us, and what better way to return that great love by doing things that are pleasing to Him each day and extending His blessings, so freely given to us, to the people we encounter in our daily lives. 

Yes, this pilgrimage has given me a new direction; to be aware of the works of the Divine in and around my life; to continue to nourish my relationship with God and get close to Him through prayers, thanksgiving, acts of patience, forgiveness and love. We only need to sense His presence in our lives to know that He is our Living God, ever near us, to guide us, support us, lift us and lead us on our pilgrim way.

                  
                     The greatest achievement is selflessness.
                     The greatest precept is continual awareness.

                                                            -Buddha-