church as pilgrimage

"If the Church really sees itself as the people of God,

it is obvious that it can never be a static and supra-historical phenomenon,

which exists undisturbed by earthly space and historical time.

The Church is always and everywhere a living people,

gathered together from the peoples of this world

and journeying through the midst of time.

The Church is essentially en route, on a journey, a pilgrimage.

A Church which pitches its tents without looking out constantly for new horizons,

which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling."

-Hans Kung

from Inward/Outward