“Do I live as a tourist or as a pilgrim?” I came upon this quote, but sorry to say, in a senior moment, I can’t remember who or where. I think of a tourist flitting here and there – seeing but not absorbing. A pilgrim, I see as one who plods deliberately along – journeying with purpose.
- Tourists use a map showing the highlights, guided by GPS. Pilgrims stop to smell the roses along the way, laying their beds down in any humble abode.Tourists often follow the voice of the tour guide.
- Pilgrims tend to follow their hearts.
- Tourists plan ahead, booking flights, hotels etc. Pilgrims fly by the seat of their pants.
- Tourists are on vacation – pilgrims are on a journey.
There is an old saying, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” We can say all touring and no pilgrimage makes one a dull Christian.
One should feed the other!
Each day we should ask ourselves – today was I a tourist or a pilgrim? What do I want to be tomorrow? Your pilgrim day may be my tourist day or vice-versa.
As a pilgrim we hope to meet God – face to face. As tourists we treasure God’s gifts to us in the beauty of creation and its varieties of people.
Be this a tourist or pilgrim day?
Barbara Vaughan, CSJ