It was wonderful to see the number of people come together for the Jubilee Launch. Many people expressed it was an encounter that they never had experienced before in the Diocese. When the choir and whole congregation lifted their voices in song at the Mass the feeling was nothing short of euphoric. Others commented on the joy they experienced being with the faithful from across all corners of the diocese. This draws on us widening our understanding that our Church is more than just our parish community, as the word Catholic indicates the faith is universal. The beauty of this universality is that we come together across the world and journey as pilgrims throughout the liturgical seasons.

It has been wonderful joining several Lenten groups over the last two weeks, what I am continuously struck by his how the scripture allows us to reflect on the here and now. When Jesus was in the desert, in the wilderness he was tempted, this scripture reveals the human nature of Jesus as temptation is part of the human condition. The words ‘worship me and all of this can be yours’ offers an invitation that parallels with the story of the Fall we encounter in Genesis and makes us reflect on the trees of both good and evil and presents the question to which tree do we pick our fruit?

As we enter the second week of Lent, we encounter the story of the transfiguration, and I recall the reflection by Nicola Graham that forms part of the Diocesan Lenten Reflection, Journey of Hope.

She writes:

There is something quite transformational about pilgrimage. A journey of spiritual significance, pilgrimage finds a profound connection with the Transfiguration of Jesus. This event, where Jesus is revealed in divine glory on Mount Tabor, symbolises the transformative power of faith and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Just as the disciples witnessed a glimpse of heavenly glory during the Transfiguration, pilgrims embark on their journeys seeking a deeper connection with the divine, hoping to experience moments of revelation and transformation in their own lives.

Just as the disciples felt insecurity and fear, they also experienced a profound sense of awe and wonder. Pilgrimage can be just like this; walking distances that can be challenging, facing the unknown and the physically demanding can be one’s own mountain to climb. Yet, immersing oneself in nature allows us to experience the beauty, wonder and awe of God’s great creation and allowing the absolute love of Christ to be felt in every aspect of our travels, blisters and all, even in the times we are called to face those confronting ‘mountains’ that we call life’s challenges.

I have been privileged to experience and witness the change in self and others on pilgrimage here in our own backyard on the aMeN CaMiNo that takes us on a one-hundred-kilometre journey around the Maitland-Newcastle diocese.

On one occasion a pilgrim came to join us with a heavy heart. There were significant family issues with respect to health and relationships and the pilgrim was tired, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Day Two of the pilgrimage is challenging as we climb a mountain with a steep ascent. We ask the pilgrims to carry a rock with them as a symbol of a burden they were carrying, then to leave the rock at the top of the mountain, letting go of some of that burden. At the top we recall the story of the Transfiguration, whereby Jesus went up the mountain with Peter, James & John. Seeing the prophets with Jesus the disciples were so elated that they wanted to build tents and stay there. But what did Jesus do? He took them straight back down the mountain.

When I mentioned this to the group and asked why Jesus might have done this, the pilgrim said, “because the real work to be done is not on top of a mountain, it’s down there.” Coming down the mountain was a symbol of return to the mission of the ‘real’ work than needed to be done. The pilgrim was so moved: the physical challenge of the mountain, the emotional challenge of her personal burdens and the reality of the work she needed to do was overwhelming. But in this moment, she realised that in following Jesus ‘down the mountain’ she was not alone, wrapped in his infinite love and comfort, she looked calmer and relieved. The rest of her journey seemed to be lighter, less burdened. I felt as though I was witnessing a transformation of sorts in terms of acceptance and healing.

The beauty of our Jubilee Year- Pilgrims of Hope is the call to journey together and we are looking forward to opportunities where we as Church can join and share hope with each other.

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2025 aMeN caMiNo: https://forms.office.com/r/WrRZ8LCjxe For more information regarding the aMeN caMiNo contact us at mission@mn.catholic.org.au

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