18 Aug Worn Steps

Dear Westwood Church Family,

On vacation in France this month, we stopped in a beautiful hillside village near the Gorges du Verdon, called Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Above the winding streets of the village, we walked up worn stairs to visit the 12th century church above; since long before the present chapel — since the 5th century — pilgrims have made their way up the path above Moustiers to pray. I do not know when the steps of the present trail were constructed, but the stones in the pathway were worn shiny and smooth by the feet of so many people who’ve walked that path.

I found it moving to walk a path that so many have trod before me, seeking connection to God.

It made me think of the steps to our own church building, especially with the ones that are engraved with words from the prophet Micah, reminding us to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly” with God. Etched in by an artisan, rather than worn in by generations of pilgrims, they nonetheless capture sometime important in stone: our call to be people of justice, compassion, and humility. We live with direction, and it’s toward God’s beloved community. We come to church so that we can walk out into the world, following divine footsteps.

As summer moves into fall, laborers in our community continue to stand and walk on picket lines, advocating for fair wages. I think of the hotel workers, city employees, writers, and actors whose feet walk paths toward a more hopeful future, a path started by those who’ve gone before.

Perhaps there are other pathways, metaphorical and physical, that you are walking toward God and toward justice these days. I pray that you would notice the paths shaped by generations before us, and that you would add your footsteps into the procession that leads us out with divine love.

grace and peace,
Pastor Molly