Pilgrims
and Peacemakers: A Journey through Lent towards Jerusalem
:
Garth HewittBible Reading Fellowship: price £5.99. (Also available as a tape)
"A Passion for Justice: Garth Hewitt gives forgotten Christians in the Middle East a voice" The Church of England Newspaper, February 2nd 1996
This is an exciting Lenten venture for BRF combining Bible reading material, prayers and meditations in book form complemented by a companion audio tape with music. In the book Garth takes us on a five week pilgrimage through the Holy Land starting in the wilderness, then on to Bethlehem, to Nazareth, Galilee and finally to Jerusalem for Holy Week. Along the way Garth takes us to many of the sites associated with the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What makes this book special however, is that Garth also introduces us to some of the local Christians, the "Living Stones", whom Garth has met on his frequent visits to the Holy Land. Largely invisible to tourists and pilgrims who go with their own agendas, Garth gives these forgotten but faithful Christians a voice. In the book they share their thoughts about particular Bible stories and how they are working for peace and justice. To these cameos, Garth has carefully selected meditations, thoughts and prayers which leave an indelible mark on the soul. On the tape, Garth reads the introductions to each chapter of the book corresponding to the five Sundays in Lent and Holy Week, adding six of his most moving songs about following Jesus.
The book and tape are very versatile spiritual and teaching tools, and have already had a profound effect on at least two groups of Christians from very different theological backgrounds. John Woodger of the Bible Lands Society and I recently led two parties of theological students and clergy to the Holy Land and we used the book in depth as a devotional guide. Subsequently I have also used the book as the basis for a series of talks given this Christmas, and Lent is still months away!
This is a deeply spiritual book and Garth's careful selection of prayers and meditations left us and our pilgrimage groups at times in deep silence, unable to speak. Garth will not let us avoid the pain and suffering still felt by the Christian community of Israel/Palestine who are ignored and maligned even by the many thousands of Christians who visit the Holy land every year. Nor does Garth offer glib or easy solutions, but instead allows the indigenous Church to speak of their own attempts to follow the way of Christ. Here we are often challenged to review our own shallow and superficial faith. Just reflect on the following, taken from the forward to the book:
As we read the Gospels we find that there is a sense of Jesus "setting his face towards Jerusalem". Almost like a magnet it starts to draw him and the tempo begins to pick up as we journey relentlessly toward Holy Week. It is a journey that for us will go from the wilderness and its temptations, on a detour to Bethlehem and down to Eqypt, then it will lead us through Galilee at a more relaxed pace, as Jesus teaches and heals, and then through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, and up to wards Jerusalem.
It is a journey towards crucifixion-it is a journey towards resurrection. As we follow Jesus on this journey, we can't help being aware that we are journeying through one of the most crucified parts of the world, and our prayer is that this too will be a journey towards resurrection-a journey towards peace....following Jesus is not just a geographical exercise, it is a way of life. It is an attitude of mind and heart, it is taking up a cross, it is being a servant, but this road of self-denial and humility leads to satisfaction, joy and resurrection. It is the road of hope. The road certainly goes through the wilderness, through the events of Holy Week and Good Friday, but it leads to Easter Sunday.
Garth's style is personal, engaging and unforgettable. I commend this book to you in your pilgrimage through life. As someone responsible for arranging pilgrimages and educational visits to the Holy Land, I will also be recommending this book and tape as an essential tool for tour leaders and pilgrims. Indeed I will be encouraging them to use it as we did, as a devotional guide along the way.
For those who find they listen to more tapes than they read books, the tape is a good introduction to becoming a pilgrim and peacemaker, and well worth listening to alongside the book. With a study guide in the back of the book, Pilgrims and Peacemakers is clearly also a practical book offering a "hands on" approach to spirituality, suitable for personal as well as group meditation at any time of the year, as well as providing a versatile basis for those planning Lenten Courses.
In a year when the Israeli government is promoting "Jerusalem 3000" and Jerusalem as their "eternal capital", Garth's prophetic ministry in word and song challenges Jews, Muslims and Christians alike to face the radical implications of the gospel. of Jesus Christ in a way no other Christian I know of does. Garth's passion for holiness, peace, justice and reconciliation shines through in this book and tape and it is highly infectious.
Stephen Sizer