To choose Christ was to become vulnerable to persecution. To choose Christ was to put your life at risk. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. During our pilgrimage we visited many historic and holy sites, though their holiness was nearly drowned out at times by the tourism. There were 19 of us traveling together, a handful of Presbyterian ministers, one Mission Synod Lutheran pastor, and the rest were Episcopal clergy, and one clergy spouse who was the wife of one of the leaders.
Clergy can be a difficult group.
We are used to being in charge, at the center of attention. We usually tell others what to do, where to be, and so on. Our guide, Lilly, a 42-year old Italian woman who spoke English, was warned that we might be difficult. But she was up to the challenge. In fact, for the first few days she was a bit of a bully, like a frustrated parent of absent-minded adolescent teenagers.