Sanctuary

The Pacific Northwest, where I live, is the destination for millions of pilgrims every year. They flock to sanctuaries with names like Duwamish and Skagit and Nisqually- sacred sites where bones lie and where healing and new life occur, They bear names like chinook, coho, sockeye, and chum. This weekend I made a pilgrimage, with friends, to the sanctuary at the mouth of the Nisqually River. Through efforts made by many in the last several years, it is being restored to its past glory. Where barriers to these waterborne pilgrims had been constructed, turning fertile tide lands into dry soil, the water now flows again and with it flow the salmon who are drawn here by a strong force within. Some species will travel as far east as the Sea of Japan before returning home to places like this. Without yellow arrows or any traditional markers to follow, they are guided by smell and by other innate senses given to them by their Creator. To me, it is mystery and wonder. And, in my way of seeing, it is highly symbolic. A Lutheran theologian by the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said that "when Christ call us, he calls us to come and die." We discussed this at the last "Theology on Tap" group that I hosted, and I wondered if the pilgrimage of northwest salmon is a helpful insight into what he is talking about. By nature, their journey is sacrificial. They come to die so that new life can occur. This is a challenging and hopeful image that I want to take with me into the new week. Coming full circle, however, I want to do this within the larger image of sanctuary. We can only live life in this way when we know that we have a spiritual home that is safe and life-giving. I welcome any thoughts you may have on this.