The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, p. 15
Directly after this encounter with the girl at the gas station, Harold-- who has never done much of anything worth noting, let alone something extraordinary-- begins his walk. This is the very definition of a leap of faith: dispensing with the odds and stepping out in trust.
Harold trusts that Queenie will hold on for the duration of his pilgrimage. The word "pilgrimage" has a religious connotation, as the practice of sacred journey is one found in many world religions. In Christianity the common image is of a visit to the Holy Land, though a figurative journey towards the Christ within us can be just as defining.
What makes Harold's walk more than just a walk? Have you ever taken a leap of faith?
5 comments:
It seems to me that a leap of faith is not necessarily the same thing as a pilgrimage. A leap of faith is doing something without knowing the results. That is, beginning a journey with an unknown destination. A pilgrimage, on the other hand, is a journey towards a specific destination. When people decide to do the Hajj or Camino de Santiago, they know exactly where they are going. They may not know how they will be transformed in the process, but they know what's waiting for them at the end. I have not finished the book yet, but so far, Harold has no idea what will be at the end of his journey. He has no confirmation that Queenie receives his letters, much less that she is still alive. Forget the fact that he did not train and has yachting shoes on his feet; Harold's most remarkable display of faith is walking 600 miles towards someone who may not even be there.
Excellent point, Dessa-- the two are at odds in many ways. Given that, perhaps this pilgrimage began with a leap of faith? Sure, Harold has his destination in mind, but who knows if he'll make it, given the odds. Even those who leap are leaping towards something.
I love how you reframe his faith as focused on Queenie, rather than the journey itself. Surely that is the central thing driving him. Thanks for your comment!
I am about half way through the wonderful story. I am finding it a testamony about relationships....we live in relationships and die without them. There a quality of a leap of faith in deciding to live in relationships with other...we can not take the leap and choose to die alone.
Bob Partlow
Metanoia - a spiritual conversion -is an over-simplified description of what is happening to Howard. The question that strikes me is at what point in our lives do we abandon that process; i.e. quit working on self improvement and simply accept ourselves and things as they are? Or are we to never to discontinue the journey?
Bob, it is such a true and salient point that relationships are key for vitality.
Lee, actually I think metanoia is an excellent concept to bring up. There is also an element of repentance in the word that is quite evident in Harold's thoughts as he makes his way towards Queenie. Your questions are excellent. I've been thinking about them and it's difficult to answer, though I'm drawn toward constantly walking towards an improved version of ourselves, if for no other reason than the fact that (at least for me) the struggles and effort to become more like Christ are neverending.
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