Not far from the Kingdom of Heaven
I like reading books about walking long distances. I call them pilgrimage books. There is a difference between a pilgrimage and a journey. In a journey, we arrive at a destination, but in a pilgrimage, we also change along the way. We are transformed by the journey. One wonderful such book is ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ in which Harold makes an amazing transformation.
I believe in this week’s Gospel Mark 12: 28-34 ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven’ Jesus is implying that the scribe is close to the Kingdom, on his pilgrimage through life. As we journey through life, it can be a pilgrimage, whereby we are transformed, or it can simply be a journey.
When the scribe acknowledges the importance of love for God and neighbor, he’s not just repeating a commandment—he’s taking a transformative step toward the Kingdom. Jesus recognizes this and encourages him by telling him he is close to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Our own path becomes a pilgrimage when we open ourselves to be transformed by the love we give and receive along the journey. Each encounter and choice can guide us closer to the Kingdom of Heaven. Embracing life as a pilgrimage means actively seeking this transformation, allowing each step to mold us in love and deepen our faith.
This calls for a radical change in how we approach each day. Instead of seeing daily interactions and tasks as mere routines, we begin to view them as opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal. Every chance encounter, every conversation, challenge, and act of kindness becomes a step on our pilgrimage, an opportunity to practice love, humility, and patience.
We learn to carry a sense of openness in even the smallest moments, knowing that they, too, shape our journey. Embracing this mindset requires courage and mindfulness, but it opens us to experience God’s grace in deeper, more transformative ways, drawing us ever closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.
I have written a book on a leg of my journey and how I made it into a pilgrimage. You can get a copy at the following link A Life Transforming Homecoming LINK
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