I AM: A Pilgrimage Through Lent

Let’s walk together: a new reflection series starting March 8th

Looking back on my own spiritual life, I have made classic pilgrimages, the rugged, rigorous treks where you sling a pack on your back and hike for miles between holy sites. And I have made modern pilgrimages, the delightful trips of discovery where you gather a group of seekers and pile on a bus to wind your way from church to church.

But more and more, I find myself drawn to spiritual practices for ordinary days, not only mountaintop moments. I want to know what it means to pilgrimage as a way of life—to wake up seeking, to set out searching, to find God in the most unexpected places with the least likely people, and then to come home changed. 

For years I’ve felt a tug to write about Jesus’ I AM statements in the Gospel of John. Partly because they are so mysterious, and there’s nothing I love more as a theologian than a good mystery to chew on. Partly because they are so simple, and there’s nothing more important for a poet than the simple truths we overlook.

So for Lent this year, I’m diving into the seven simple, mysterious statements Jesus gave us: 

I am the Bread of Life.
I am the Light of the World.
I am the Gate.
I am the Good Shepherd.
I am the Resurrection and the Life.
I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.
I am the True Vine.

Using pilgrimage as our metaphor and our practice, we’ll set out to discover what is waiting for us this time, this year, this turn through the sacred season of Lent. The weekly reflections will include:

• Each full Scripture story of Jesus’ I AM statement

• A new essay breaking open the Scripture

• Ways to pray with this name of Jesus

• A practice of pilgrimage for your week

Spoiler alert: pilgrimage is a theme I’m weaving through the book I’m writing right now, so it’s been winding round my life for a long time. I want to explore it with you, one pilgrim to another, and see what (and Whom) we find together.

What this means for you

The pilgrimage series will come to you each Saturday of Lent, starting on March 8th and continuing through April 19th (Holy Saturday). This offering is for paid subscribers. You can join for only $5/month at the start of March and get this 7-week series for $10 total, which is less than the cost of most books.

I know lots of people love daily devotionals. (I’ve written more than a few myself.) But right now, what works best for my spiritual reading is weekly. One good-sized chunk to chew on for several days. A realistic approach to Lent is a wise practice: not planning to become a spiritual all-star (and then getting disappointed or giving up when you fall short) but taking practical steps to come closer to God. 

Jesus’ own words and the practice of pilgrimage will weave together to guide us through Lent:

We prepare for the journey (with the Bread of Life).
We set out (by the Light).
We enter (by the Gate).
We follow (the Shepherd).
We find (the Resurrection).
We discover (we have been on the Way all along).
We celebrate (and we stay close to the True Vine). 

I can’t wait to walk through Lent with you through these words, prayers, and practices. May this pilgrimage bring what you are seeking.

Paid subscribers, you don’t need to do anything extra to sign up! The series will automatically come to your inbox starting on March 8th. Free subscribers, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid subscription to get the series sent to you. A quick click below, and you’ll be on your way.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.