Love Is a Pilgrimage: Advent Reflection on Love

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

​We throw around the word 'love' a lot.

​“Love it!” I often say in support of something. “Love You” I say at the end of phone calls. If you play song association, the easiest word to win on is “Love,” because most songs are about strong emotions that we usually characterize as love.

​In this advent Season, I'm challenged to think of love in relation to the incarnation of Christ. In light of Jesus joining the created world, I’m invited to think of love as a pilgrimage. 

In light of Jesus joining the created world, I’m invited to think of love as a pilgrimage. 

A journey that traverses realms and statuses to meet someone or thing where they are and care for them. If the Incarnation is a demonstration of Love, that perhaps love has less to do with strong emotion, and more to do with strong action.

As I seek to love my fellow creature, what realms must I cross? Is there a valley of woes separating me from my fellow human? Is there an emotion wall separating me from the trees in the land? Is the chasm of knowledge between me and my ability to advocate for creation too deep for me to wade through?

Perhaps it would be an act of love to traverse those lengths.

​Perhaps on the other side when I say “Love You” to my fellow creatures, it will be a summary of evidence rather than a declaration of sentiment.

​Naomi François
Seminary Intern
​Creation Justice Ministries

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