Jesus: A Pilgrimage

Let me make the most important point first: if you are a Christian, Catholic or Protestant, and you want a closer relationship with Jesus, read this book. And, if you are not a Christian, but find the story of Jesus and Jesus' teachings to be thought-provoking, and you want to know more about this Jesus, read this book. You will not be disappointed.This is the first book of Father Martin's that I've read. (I liked it so much, I bought his later work, "Seven Last Words," and look forward to reading it). What I expected was a well-written, pious series of meditations on the life of Jesus. Well, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" is definitely well written. And the meditations on the life of Jesus are pious, but they are much more than that. Father Martin's reflections on the central events of the Gospels are profoundly practical. Reading this book can, and almost certainly will, make you a better person and a better follower of Jesus, and the book's theological insights are balanced by very practical wisdom on how the Gospels can be applied to the challenges and problems of your daily life.I would characterize this book as proceeding simultaneously on three levels. Although written in clear prose that is accessible to the average layperson, the book's structure is rather complex. On one level, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" is a vivid account of Father Martin's pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His description of the holy sites he visited is particularly well done. The details and imagery are what one would expect from a good novelist. I could visualize the places he was describing, and in so doing, I could visualize how Jesus experienced these towns, seas, mountains, and great cities. For those of us who probably will never get to visit the Holy Land, Father Martin's book is probably as close as we can get to actually visiting the places that Jesus saw and experienced in His life.On a second level, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" is also a scholarly work on the life of the historical Jesus. I wasn't expecting the serious scholarship that characterizes this book. Father Martin has read the major works published in recent decades on the historical Jesus, and he uses this scholarship to deepen our encounter with Jesus the man, and Jesus, the Son of God. The footnotes and bibliography in "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" clearly demonstrate that this is a book by a serious scholar. I've already bought a few of the books that Father Martin references, and I hope to read much more about the historical Jesus in coming years.On the third level, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" contains a series of deeply personal, beautiful, and quite practical meditations on the central events of the life of Jesus. It is this aspect of the book that makes it a classic. Father Martin shares his own experiences and how they deepened his understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and how we can become better followers of Jesus. As a spiritual advisor, Father Martin is a blessing to those of us who are struggling with the challenges of life: addiction, despair, doubt, inability to forgive, and the dark night of the soul when it feels as if God has abandoned us.If all of this sounds like pretty heavy reading, well, it is in a way. This is not an easy book. One must read slowly and reflect thoughtfully while reading this book. So, you have to do some work as a reader of this book. However, the work is well worth it. But don't be put off. Father Martin also has--hooray!--a sense of humor and a writing style that makes it seem as if he is sitting in your home talking with you. I'm not sure how Father Martin pulls it off, but reading "Jesus: A Pilgrimage," one is aware that this is a scholarly work about the historical Jesus AND a well-written description of the Holy Land AND a collection of wise spiritual insights, but you never feel as if you're being preached at or lectured to. Rather you feel as if you're having a wonderful chat with a good friend. And you feel sad when you've come to the end of it, which I always think is a sign of a truly wonderful book.

Great book!

Engaging and enlightening, a worthwhile read whether you’re going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or on a comfortable reading chair at home.

I am not generally a fan of books on spirituality. Theology and religious history, yes. Spirituality, no. And yet, Fr. Martin’s books strike a nice balance between the theology and history, and the meaning it has in his life, which he then eases into an examination of the reader’s life. For someone like me, it is the best kind of spiritual writing.In this book, Fr. Martin examines the life of Jesus based on his reading of various gospel stories and a recent pilgrimage visit—his first, actually—to the Holy Land. The chapters basically follow the same general pattern. Fr. Martin and his traveling companion, George, visit a site in the Holy Land from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to the Sea of Galilee. We get a slice of their trip, the meaning it has to Fr. Martin, the connection to the gospels, a bit of theology, and the ways in which this part of Jesus’ life might have a more general spiritual meaning for the reader. Each chapter then finishes with the related gospel passage. It is a nice development.On the other hand, if I’m being honest, Fr. Martin is not always the most effective writer. His decision to order the book by following events in the life of Jesus as opposed to the order of the places he went during his pilgrimage means that the book as a whole has an odd through line. It jumps around. It is better read as individual chapters, like meditations. Also, Fr. Martin’s constant reminders of how hot it was in the Holy Land come across as rather shallow and distracting.Still, Fr. Martin is brilliant at weaving in anecdotes from his own experience to illustrate a point he is trying to make. It is a wonderful way to make the lessons of Jesus meaningful to a modern audience. And he has enough variety and experience in the “real world”—he didn’t become a Jesuit until after he’d worked a corporate job for a number of years—that he can sustain a number of different points. He is passionate and knowledgeable without being preachy.I don’t know if this is the kind of book that will make converts; however, for someone with a Christian background or someone interested in Christianity, this book helps with understanding why Jesus has such a powerful effect on so many. It is the kind of book that can take almost anyone deeper into understanding their faith. That makes it very worthwhile.

This is an amazing book. Jesus becomes a REAL man with thoughts and feelings like everyone else. Jesus is still Son Of God, but a man as well - not just a biblical figure. The trip through the Holy Land becomes a a pilgrimage anyone would want to do. It becomes really exciting. The book was recommended to me, and as I read it the person who suggested I read it and I phone each other daily saying "have you read the bit...." This is history, personal endeavour and a jolly good yarn. Anyone who has the chance to read this and doesn't is really missing out.

This is a great read, interesting and entertaining. I will read this again as it was easy to read and insightful.

This is an excellent book, combining descriptions of sites, historical and religious background, and personal impressions, written in felicitous and interesting prose.

Just finishing Holy Land pilgrimage - this book is a must for anyone contemplating the same journey as a guide.

Easiest way to reconnect with The Bible as James Martin visits sights we have all heard of along the way on his Pilgrimage.