The Mission of God Walk

Vision, Sacramental Experience, Greater Godwalk

Vision

Countless times in the history of humankind's interaction with their God, we have been told not to worry that we are too young (Jeremiah, David), too old (Abraham and Sarah, Zachary and Elizabeth), or otherwise imperfect to do God's work (Moses at the burning bush, and countless saints). But God has told us over and over that God is with us, and that is all we need.

“ We do not need credentials or degrees to do God's work. Life, compassion, and approximately four limbs is all we need to make God's compassion realized in our lives and in the lives of the poor. ” ₁

God gives us the gifts of hands, feet, eyes, words and heart, some all of these, some a few, but whatever gifts God gives us, they are enough, enough to be used in the Lord's service to do God's will. It is with this knowledge of our usefulness to God, even if sometimes we don't feel useful to or enough for the world, that we approach the Godwalk. Empowered by seeing through the eyes of God, with God's Heart of compassion, we are able to see the need in those around us, and we strive to walk the distance in solidarity with those who are homeless, on foot, suffering, are oppressed, are poor in material needs or human companionship, or other human and spiritual needs. We come as fellow travelers, pilgrims on the journey, at their level (walking), to serve them, with them, side by side. We are asked to serve by the Master, and so we take up our “ towel ” and get to work, His work. As we serve those of His people in need, we are serving Him, as He told us (Matthew 25, the least of these). This is a pilgrim's journey, a disciple's journey, of getting to know God within and without, in our hearts and in the hearts of those who walk with us, and for those who cannot take up the walk by themselves.

“ The God Walk is a sacramental experience and is meant to be, in no hidden way, a microcosm of the greater Christian walk. God has empowered us to spread God's love, justice and liberation throughout this world by living the Gospel in a concrete and incarnate manner, and in the words of St. Francis, “ Preach the Gospel daily, and when necessary, use words.” On this journey we enjoy the inspirational and enlivening hospitality and mutual care of the faith communities along the journey who open their doors to us. We believe and come to understand more deeply that community is essential to our human experience, and to living a Trinitarian faith.

As the Godwalk journey comes to a close, we consider our greater God Walk and where in our lives God is calling us to a closer and more concrete walk. We celebrate all that God has done in our midst along the journey, while realizing this is just the tip of the iceberg. We move from being disciples to being Apostles: those who have encountered the Risen Lord and are sent by this same Lord to proclaim God's love and Good News to all nations [and neighborhoods]. And so we continue to follow in the pattern that Christ laid out for us to become the servants of all, taking out our Cross daily in solidarity with those who suffer, and with faith, love and hope for our own resurrection through Christ, our Lord.” ₁

¹Perrin Brady, Godwalk Founder and Director