Here the land flowing with milk also groans under the weight of untreated sewage. Without pilgrimage the soul perishes. I understand that in the culture and tradition of those who were enslaved here in the United States, brought from many parts of Africa, their souls were sustained in their bondage by their songs of pilgrimage. I know this is also true for many people of Palestine who, because of the closure to the border with Israel, are unable to make their pilgrimage to celebrate the holy feasts. I certainly know this to be true for may of our fellow Christians in the Holy Land who were not able to get to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Pilgrim Christ this year.
All pilgrimage is a freedom road.
It is part of our witness, our Christian obligation and duty to set captives free and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. The world is still subject to slavery, bondage, occupation and imprisonment. We should not sleep soundly while one of God's children is held captive. Jerusalem, the place of pilgrimage for Christians, Jews and Moslems, will one day be the place of free areas for all people. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, outside the Edicule that houses the empty tomb, is a curious urn set on a black and white marble floor.