Dear Everyone,
This week my recommendation is to read Chapter 2 of “The Way of a Pilgrim.” Some readers have been able to find the book online as a public domain translation. It’s also available as an ebook. It isn’t too late to join me – you can join at any time.
This week, I’d like us to reflect on the nature of the Pilgrim’s quest. As we saw in Chapter 1, he’s trying to find the answer to a question and this search propels him forward. Along the way, he seems to meet exactly who he needs to meet at exactly the right time. The answer to his question is progressive – it’s an answer that involves content as well as practice.
As we think about our own quest this Lent, let’s reflect on the unanswered questions we have and let’s look with expectation to find the people we need to meet at the right time. Let’s keep in mind that sometimes the answer to a question is a practice or an action, rather than a concept or idea.
Today, I learned that Leslie, one of our long time readers and podcasters, lost her mother. Please join me in remembering Leslie and her family in our prayers.
Peace be with Leslie and her family, and peace be with all of you.
SR
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {
Hello SR
I have read Chapter 1 and am about to start Chapter 2. It is exactly what we need to read, to appreciate how much we receive by praying and believing in God. There are far too many non-believers in the world these days.
I am looking forwards to finding out if the Pilgrim does finally find the answer to the question.
I was so sorry to hear about Leslie’s mom and send her and her family my heartfelt condolences
Peace be with you
Love Franca
Thanks very much, Franca.
I’m glad you’ve joined me,
SR
Something that I have been working on when I pray, is from chapter 1. The pilgrim is questioning ‘on how’ to pray. Which also has been a question asked to me from a couple of friends and my granddaughter. For my past it has always been to help in times of trouble or for something in particular.
What I have told my friends and granddaughter, prayer is having a conversation with God. I know prayers from my Catholic School education, when I say the rosary for example. But that not all prayer are the formal prayers. Just asking to watch over someone, thanks or just show me the way are powerful. Prayers are always answered but maybe not the way you want them answered.
The pilgrim leaving chapter 1 seems to have been learning this. Thanks SR for allowing us the chance to follow his journey.
Thanks very much, Pam.
I agree – prayers are not always answered the way we expect. In Chapters 1 and 2, we see a lot of the unexpected!
Thank you for joining me, SR
I realize more and more how important prayer is in our lives, in my life. And I also experience the power of prayer again and again. My last year was about prayer. I prayed many times for others and for myself in difficult situations and it gave me peace, hope, comfort and strength. I prayed in my happy moments too and that made me feel even more grateful and joyful. Prayers are often not answered the way we want them to be, but I do believe God always listens to them and I also believe He shapes us through them. As I am not Catholic, repeating the same prayers has always been far from me. Sometimes, when we say “Our Father” in the church at the end of the service, it makes me feel guilty because I know the words too well – I’m used to it too much – so I can’t always pay full attention to it. That is why I much prefer my own prayers, which are always different, since they express my current situation, my spiritual state so I can say them from my heart. But of course that’s just me. Obviously there are many who do it much better than me, so I have a lot to learn. Maybe these repetitive prayers are needed to really make prayer ceaseless… Or can this be also achieved by saying my own prayers? And how can I pray ceaselessly in practice when I go to work, raise my kids etc., so there is a lot going on in my days? Or is it not just about the concrete spoken words, but rather about a spiritual state of being completely open to God, sensitive to His presence, receptive to His word, his blessings, and relying on Him for everything? So far I’ve read the first chapter of the book, but I’m excited to read the next ones… Anyway, it is admirable that this pilgrim is so persistent in his search for God, for the answer to his question. He does not regret his strength, his time, because he knows that these are the most important things in life. He’s really inspiring. I wondered if I am that persistent or if I am more easily accepting that I do not understand or can not find the answers to my questions. I wish I always had such a deep, unquenchable longing for the things of God… I hope you are doing well, SR. Peace be with you and your loved ones and have a blessed Lenten season.
Thanks very much, Monika.
Sometimes one doesn’t have the words to pray, and in that case, a written prayer can be helpful. But spontaneous prayers of the heart are so important. I think one of the lessons of Pilgrim’s journey is that prayer is a discipline – that we should pray even when we don’t have words or the will to pray. And then we will find the most unexpected results … Thank you for joining me, SR
Thank you, SR!
Along with The Pilgrim meeting the right people at the right time in his quest in chapter 2, I noticed the number of times he was in the right place and time for others. Several times he became the learned intermediary–the student became the teacher. I also really enjoyed the staret’s appearances in his dreams–telling him like it is, no beating around the bush. Lol.
I also noticed our Pilgrim’s need to be alone and recenter himself after being around others for after a while. He may just be an introvert, but I liken it to “going up to the mountain” or having a retreat. We all need to step away and rest and revive–not just our bodies and minds but faith as well. As much as he finds comfort in his stopping and holing up for a while, he recognizes the need to resume his journey and keep moving.
Thanks very much, Sarah.
That’s a good point about how the Pilgrim became the teacher on occasion, and his need for solitude and contemplation.
Thank you for joining me, SR
I am still in Chapter 2. I hope to complete it this weekend and start Chapter 3. I am learning so much from this man. I do believe I needed to read this book. I am taking my time with it. I am reading it in quiet places so that I absorb it. I am not catholic, but I love the use of the rosary. I have researched it and the prayers that you are to say with it. I think I am going to get one of my own, and I hope it is not wrong to use it when I am not of the religion. Have you read the Philokalia SR? I am interested in reading this also. Thank you again for this read along. Peace be with you, your community and your loved ones.
Thanks very much, Lori. I’m glad you’re enjoying the book.
I think that prayers and prayer practices are meant to be shared. So I don’t think it’s a problem if you pray the rosary. I’m not Eastern Orthodox, but I have found the Jesus prayer to be very helpful in my spiritual journey. Thanks again for joining me, SR