What do you think of when you read the word ‘pilgrimage'? Websters Dictionary offers us two definitions; ‘a pilgrimage being a journey undertaken by a person to a shrine or a sacred place', and also and perhaps more interestingly, ‘the course of life on earth'. Whether we think of pilgrimage being to a particular place, or within the wider sense of life itself being a constant journey towards finding enlightenment and joy, it remains clear that by necessity pilgrimage (even a metaphorical one) includes change, and importantly, a change within the person undertaking the journey.
Some time ago, while listening to a Rabbi speak about Jewish values relating to aging, I heard this quote; “I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don't have to”. Perhaps some of you can connect with that sentiment, and if you can then you are among illustrious company because that quote comes from Albert Einstein. I'm not sure how often Einstein wore socks, but there is something wonderful and refreshing about anyone who in growing older has also grown bolder.
The pilgrimage of aging is a journey, a journey to allowing us to know ourselves and god in a new light, accompanied by the wisdom of our years. That journey might be difficult, but if we look around us there will be people to help us on our way. If we approach aging as a pilgrimage to greater understanding rather than just the nuisance of ‘getting old', then we open our hearts to learning, self-appreciation and freedom- even the freedom of not wearing socks if you don't want to. May we all know that on our pilgrimage of life we do not journey alone. We all as fellow pilgrims journey with God as our guide. Perhaps this is best put by Sidney Carter in his hymn One More Step Along The World I Go; “You are older than the world can be, you are younger than the life in me, ever old and ever new, keep me traveling along with you: And it's from the old I travel to the new; keep me traveling along with you.” So let us journey on together.
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