Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5)
When I’m on leave I like to drag my family on at least one “epic” hike (for us amateurs anyway). Since I often encounter a fair bit of resistance I’m strategically vague with details such as distance, time, gradient etc. In January we hiked up Skeleton Gorge. Only at the top of the gorge did I remark – “You know it is only a vertical climb of 100 odd metres to Table Mountain – we might as well walk to the top” (which was my plan all along).
This holiday we hiked up Devil’s Peak. The climb up required some effort but it was during the hike down where we felt most vulnerable. We returned by a different route and found ourselves scrambling down steep and exposed sections.
Over the ages Christians have often thought of themselves as pilgrims. In following Jesus we are all called to follow His “downward” pilgrimage[1]. On this journey we become more familiar with the suffering of others, more acquainted with a life of service and more disciplined in living simply. This is not an easy path. However, in our humility and weakness, Christ’s power to heal is made known – a theme captured in Sunday’s readings (c.f. 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Mark 6:8-13).
[1] Phil. 2:5-8 poetically describes the downward journey of Christ that we are called to imitate.