We often talk about our faith being a journey!  But what do we mean by that?

Friday I went on a small journey – I travelled uptown to meet my daughter and see a show.  I had a map to guide me to a particular store I needed to visit first, then at a prescribed time I met my daughter and we made our way to yet another place for lunch, then on to the Opera House. 

We knew where we had to be and at what time – a journey with a beginning and an end and although of course, things could have gone wrong, we knew our destination and I am sure my daughter had a contingency plan for delays on the train.

We began our readings today by hearing about Abram – later renamed Abraham – who was called by God to take a journey – a journey that was to take him – quite late in life - to a land far from his home.  It was a journey that was often beset with difficulties, forcing Abram off the path into different lands, lands that were hostile, lands that were occupied by warring peoples.  And all the time his only direction and determination was God’s word and the promise he had made to him.

He journeyed in faith – knowing that he was travelling towards a promise of blessing – a blessing that would be for all peoples – but he had to reach his destination and endure a night of deep and terrifying darkness before he receives a deeper revelation of that promise from God. 

His journey in faith was not straightforward, not always pleasant, and beset by his own desire to help God out in times of uncertainty, yet he pressed on because he knew and believed in God’s promise.

The reading from St. Luke’s Gospel also speaks of a journey.  Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem – a journey that would see the climax of his ministry through his passion, resurrection and ascension. 

He knows he must get to Jerusalem, he knows he must die.  The time is right and he presses on determined, yet all the time, as an earlier verse shows us, using every last opportunity as he went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

And yet what fills his mind?  Certainly not a fear of Herod and all he will do to him. No!  He laments for Jerusalem – Jerusalem which also on a journey – a journey determined by the rulers – and, in Jesus’ words, approved by those who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to it. 

A city that could not agree to follow Jesus.

(although follow him they would, to his crucifixion).

Yet not all ignored him – Jesus left crowds in every village he passed, amazed at his teaching and works of wonder,

and in this passage we even hear of some Pharisees warning Jesus of Herod’s intention to kill him – and of course there would soon be many more intrigued by all they had seen and witnessed and showing their approval by spreading their coats before him and joining with the disciples in shouts of joyful praise.

Shouts that would soon turn to confusion lament.

But lament that was destined for tears of happiness, joy and wonder as Jesus completes his earthly journey.

The season of Lent is often described as a journey -  A journey of self-inspection as we accompany Jesus through the scripture readings that lead Him to Jerusalem.

We are encouraged to enter into this journey as deeply as possible, often using fasting or other spiritual disciplines to heighten our awareness and examination of our faith in the one who calls us to follow him. 

We are reminded in our readings today of Abraham’s faith in God, a faith that at times could be attacked by fear of the unknown – but a faith that never wavered in trusting the One who sent him.

Even Jesus, fully God yet fully human, displays his humanity in the garden of Gethsemane by lifting his journey to God ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done’.

Let us use the coming weeks as we approach Easter to question where we are on our journey – how do we feel – are we still or moving?  Are we happy or confused?  Do we have doubts that trouble us?  Have we told God how we feel?

Our faith, and our response, is the vehicle for our journey with, and to, God.

We cannot always have a clear idea of how we will travel, or what will happen, of the side-turnings and dead-ends that often are so instrumental in our spiritual growth.  But we can know our destination – we are citizens of heaven – made possible by Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who has left us his Spirit to strengthen, encourage and guide us to our light and salvation, the stronghold of our lives.

Amen