Pilgrimage of Provision

 We watched as they came.  They came from afar and they came from nearby.  They walked in groups, and they walked alone.  They sang songs of praise and they prayed silently.  They came!  I had never seen a pilgrimage before, but I had the true honor of seeing one this past week.  We were visiting my husband’s family in Costa Rica this past week.  On August 2^nd, they pay tribute to Costa Rica’s patron saint, the Virgin de Los Angeles at the Basilica De Nuestra Senora De Los Angeles.  The story is a fascinating one and I encourage you to explore this a bit.

What I want to focus on is the people.  People from across the country make the trip to Cartago, by foot, to be a part of this celebration.  Many make the 13-mile trip from the capital, San Jose to the Basilica in Cartago.  Folks who live farther away will start the trek much earlier, some as early as 15 days prior, to experience the celebration.  For over two hundred years, this ritual has taken place.  Our location was Tres Rios, the town next to Cartago, so we were able to watch thousands of people walk to the basilica.  Yet, our venture also took us over to Puntarenas the day before, where we saw people walking towards Cartago, up incredible hills, and unpaved roads.

I found these folks so inspiring.  Their love for their Lord and their belief was amazing.  Some made the trip to thank God for blessings they had received.  Others were setting afoot to ask for healing, either for themselves or others.  Whatever their reason, there was no denying that their Lord meant something to them – so much so that they stopped their lives for a moment and decided that this was so especially important.  Families with little children and strollers were walking.  Then the unthinkable happened, it started to rain!  Not just a sprinkle, it rained!  That did not stop one person.  They walked with rain ponchos, they walked with umbrellas, or they walked letting the rain drench them.  Yet they continued to walk.

I hope one day to make this pilgrimage, to join in this festival.  For whatever reason each person walked, their faith led the way.  God’s path for us takes us in many directions.  We may choose to follow His way or our way at the crossroads of life. If we choose to walk in our path, it may prove to be ‘easy’ and ‘less difficult'.  Walking the road God plans for us may be tougher and filled with questions.  It may be tough, uphill climbing.  It may be rugged with unpaved roads.  It may be filled with downpours of doubts and demanding situations.  Yet the journey, and our faith along the way, will yield the greatest gifts of forgiveness, love, and the knowledge of life eternal.  Brothers and sisters, wherever your journey may take you, ensure that it is God’s journey.  May His guidance provide you with the pilgrimage to the cross, and the grace, mercy and love that comes at the foot of the cross!

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the journeys you provide for us.  Help us to walk in your path and guide us to the life you have prepared for us.  May we join in the pilgrimage to the cross of love and forgiveness.  In your name we pray – Amen!