Recently I had the privilege of paying a return visit to a favourite haunt on the shore of Clew Bay, Co, Mayo, with its superb views of the bay and its many islands. They are set like jewels in the glittering waters of the seascape.
On the far shore are the lower slopes of Croagh Patrick and the well trodden pilgrims' path. One's gaze moves to the summit of the holy mountain known locally as "The Reek". After the rain the evening sun highlights the beauty, colour, and clarity of the scene. One just cannot stop looking at it. The majestic Reek holds one's attention. Supremely magnetic and awe-inspiring, its stories and legends stir a spiritual response.
One thinks of Patrick's vigil of prayer there and of the thousands, yea millions, of pilgrims who have climbed the path to the summit during hundreds of years. They would agree that God helps those who help themselves, that prayerful, dedicated, and painstaking effort in climbing "The Reek" is seen by Him and rewarded in a reassuring comfortable confidence in having "walked with God".
Mountains and hills play a significant part in the story of God's people. The psalmist finds comfort in their pointing to God. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills: from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord who hath made heaven and earth." Over and over again David found peace and comfort in the unchanging message from the eternal hills:
"The Lord is a great God: and a great king above all gods.
In his hand are all the corners of the earth; and the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands prepared the dry land."
We see that David "got" the same message we can "get" by meditating on God's creation. He shouts it out forcibly: "O come let us worship and fall down; and kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Such strong words to all meditating on God's creation call for more than a bleat in admiration of beauty, and for a profound response to the essential message it expresses throughout the years - "O come let us worship and kneel before the Lord our Maker." How fortunate we are if we learn from this to develop the habit of recognising God's hand leading us through the outward and visibly impressive to the inward and spiritually expressive. Pilgrims of the faith learn of their own weakness and of God's available strength every step of the way.
In these summer months we shall be aware of visitors to our country and of their interest in the many places and shrines associated with the lives of the faithful and saints of the Celtic church. Visiting old haunts and places means much to us in our way of life with God. It can do wonders in restoring a faith that may need strengthening in the face of dangers to it. Soon the great annual pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick will be taking place. As a way of developing an ecumenical awareness of God's people, we may pray for a blessing upon all concerned in walking with God on pilgrim ways.
Having made the effort and come down Croagh Partrick we partake of fellowship. There is holy satisfaction in hoping and believing in the words of the old hymn:
"I have walked with God today."