Blog post
The biblical passage of Matthew 14:14–16 begins with a simple but profound action: Jesus saw the crowd. He did not merely notice them. He saw their situation, their needs, their vulnerability, and their humanity.
Then he had compassion on them. This is at the heart of our pilgrimage. The Vancouver agenda reminds us that our encounters should not be treated simply as site visits or observations. We are called to listen, learn, and walk humbly with people, particularly those whose stories are shaped by land, memory, reconciliation, suffering, and hope.
Moving on, Jesus does not allow the disciples to distance themselves from the people. He brings them into the situation. This is an important challenge for our understanding of companionship. Journeying with people means that we do not simply come, listen to their stories, take notes, document their experiences, and then leave. We allow their stories to touch us and to change us. We ask: What is our responsibility now that we have seen and heard?
This resonates strongly with the purpose of our Vancouver pilgrimage. The agenda asks: “What have we seen and heard? Where did we encounter wounds, gifts, and signs of transformation? What challenged our assumptions? And how should these encounters reshape the next steps?”
Our pilgrimage is therefore not complete simply because we have had meaningful encounters. The real question is: What will we carry with us when we leave Vancouver? Will we carry only memories and reports—or will we carry relationships, responsibilities, commitments, and a renewed way of walking with people?
Prayer
Compassionate God,
You saw the crowd and were moved with compassion.
Teach us to see people as you see them.
Give us eyes that notice those who are often overlooked, ears that listen before speaking, hearts that are moved by the pain and hopes of others, and courage to remain with people in their journeys.
Forgive us when we reduce people to stories, statistics, or projects.
Help us to walk humbly with those whom we encounter—with Indigenous peoples, with communities experiencing poverty and marginalisation, with migrants and displaced people, with churches, and with all those who seek justice, reconciliation, and peace.
As we continue this pilgrimage, may our encounters become relationships, our relationships become companionship, our companionship become solidarity, and our solidarity become transformative action. For it is in Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Photo gallery: WCC Pilgrimage Reference Group meeting in Vancouver
Let’s paddle together: companionship in a local context (WCC blog, 21 September 2026)
WCC Pilgrimage Reference Group to gather in Vancouver (WCC news release, 15 September 2026)
Learn more about the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity
About the author :
Rev. Angele Wilson Dogbe serves as All Africa Conference of Churches director of the regional office in Lomé, Togo. She is a member of the WCC Pilgrimage Reference Group.
