The course of your pilgrimage will lead you through different landscapes: occasionally downward slopes, and other times upward inclines; at other times walking on flat terrain and sometimes amidst mud and sludge. It would not be a bad idea for you to carry a staff. If you are in luck—or perhaps if you have managed to get lost—you might meet up with a shepherd with a small herd of sheep or goats. Unfortunately, this scenery has all but faded from our rural areas.

In the Bible, we find two different types of sticks. The staff is a stick by which the shepherd leads his herd. Generally, its top part is curved for the purpose of discipling the sheep and keep them on their path. This is why the bishop—the spiritual shepherd of the local church—uses a crosier which is in the shape of a staff.

On the other hand, a rod is useful to those who are on a journey. These days, we may use trekking poles, but the concept is the same. The rod is a long cane on which you can lean on when you need to catch your breath, you can also push yourself forward when going up hill as well as for steadying yourself when descending a slope. It can also be used to jump a muddy puddle as well as helping you keep your balance so that you don’t lose heart.

In our journey of life, we need staffs and rods: We need friends on whom we can depend. We need people who can help us carry the load—as well as lifting us up when we stumble and fall. We need to be brothers and sisters in our community and in society so that we can support each other. We need people in whom we can trust to confide in about our lives. Who are your rods? Think of them along your journey. Remember also those to whom you are a source of solace. How are you feeling on this journey? Is the load heavy? It is normal. Remember that even the Good Shepherd has become a rod for you to lean on.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd
¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
³ he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.