The Vocabulary of Prayer - Walking

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Articles and movies have explored the spiritual dimension of walking this road.

However one does not have to go to Spain to enter into the spiritual experience of walking. Every year, the entire Church is invited to enter on a journey on the vigil of Easter. The Church gathers in the silence and darkness that follow upon Good Friday.

Vatican Council II used an image of the Church as a pilgrim people: Israel according to the flesh, which wandered as an exile in the desert, was already called the Church of God. So likewise the new Israel which while living in this present age goes in search of a future and abiding city is called the Church of Christ. (Lumen Gentium #9)

A new fire is kindled and the Paschal Candle is lighted from it, a sign of our risen Lord. That burning candle then leads us all.  The LORD preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way, and at night by means of a column of fire to give them light. (Exodus 13:21)

The oft repeated command of Jesus in the gospels is: “Follow me.” We follow Christ into the church building, the sign of the heavenly Jerusalem, illuminated by the light that each of us bears, the light of Christ that enlightens each of us.

The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure. During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there. (Revelation 21:23-24)

The darkness of a world in need of Christ, the light of Christ entrusted to each of us, the power of that light when we walk together, the vision of peace as we gather around the Lord’s table to share in the wedding feast of the Lamb.  (Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed* are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” Revelation 19:9)

The Easter Vigil procession is not merely a matter of getting from one place into our usual place it church. It is a summary of our Christian faith. It is an invitation to see in our walking behind the Paschal Candle an image of discipleship lived out in daily life. It is an invitation to pray.