Words

This is the post from the other day.  I couldn't get it to upload until now....

Today was a short day.  I was sufficiently tired that I slept in until 7:30am this morning.   I only walked 12km to Villafranca Montes de Oca....which happens to be celebrating today a local martyr named St. Indalecio.

As I continue to walk along, i see words or messages left by those who have gone before.  Graffiti appears in far too many places, both in the U.S. and here in Spain.   But along the Camino there are also wonderful words of love and encouragement.  Nothing helps keep up the strength for the walk like a well placed note.

The beautiful painted blue scallop shell carries the cry of greeting/blessing/farewell for pilgrims.... Buen Camino!   As pilgrims we say this many times a day to encourage each other.   What fun to have the very walls speaking a word of support!

With all the pain and soreness the last few days, when I saw this little rock in the middle of the path crying Help!.....I just had to giggle.   Lots of folks are sore or tired as the Camino takes its toll.  How wonderful to speak aloud what many are thinking!

At one waymark, a pilgrim had left a smile.  It certainly was appreciated by me as the long day was sapping my energy and exhaustion makes me more cranky than joyful.  How blessed to share a simple smile with one who is struggling along!

Going into Najera there is a full poem... Pilgrim, who calls you?...left for all to ponder in Spanish.   You can google this famous poem if you want a translation....but it asks the question of motivation for the pilgrimage. With the quiet time for reflection that this walking provides, it is good to allow the questions space to grow and deepen.

I  consider the words I speak...the words my life speak....are they graffiti or blessings for those that follow.....

Yes

It is hard to believe that 15 years ago, I had the joy to say yes to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.  So many stops since then.... so many people. ... so many sacraments celebrated....  what a wonderful, humbling privilege!

The WiFi connection has been bad for the last couple of days so my regular picture laden posts won't publish.  I have made it as far as the gloriously quaint village of Atapuerca.   Remains of cavemen dating back nearly a million years ago have been found here.  They are the oldest human remains found in Europe.

More posting tomorrow when we make it into the large city of Burgos.  What grand blessings will the Lord have in store as I begin the next 15 years in service to Him and his people?!?  :))))

S&S

We had another beautiful day on the Camino....traveling 23 km to Belorado.  This was our longest segment so far but with clouds filling the sky, the temperature stayed bearable.

As we left Santo Domingo this morning, we passed this pen filled with sheep.  While we have heard them a couple of times within barns, these were the first ones we have seen. They became the inspiration to pray for parishioners today.  Each day I go through the intercession book.  Today as I walked along I thought of all the Mass groups at St. Matthew.The little group on Monday mornings,   the cleaners and counters with others on Tuesdays, the singing breakfast bards of Wednesday, the faithful Rosary crew on Thursdays, the generous stewards of Saturday at 5pm, los santos con coro maravilloso a la 7 en la tarde, the faithful disciples at 8am and all the goodness at 11am on Sunday.  So many wonderful sheep to have in my life!

Crossing my path as well was this beautiful snail.  He was a good reminder to take my time and walk slowly and gently.  My knee is mostly better and the blisters are turning to calluses...but the feet and calves are tender.  Probably time to have a rest day and allow the system to recharge.  Going slowly worked well today....getting ever closer to Santiago.

Waymarks

One of the grand traditions of the Camino is the waymarks.  All along the Way there are markers to point the way...to indicate what turn to take...to silently lead pilgrims west to Santiago.

When we arrived in Pamplona we took a taxi from the airport to the cathedral.  After a prayer we began to walk.  At the corner of the plaza was the waymark pictured above.... both a scallop shell and a yellow arrow pointing out the correct direction. 

As the walk unfolds one has to keep an eye out for the waymarks.  Some are on buildings, some are In the sidewalk.  Some times only a scallop shell appears.  Other times a yellow arrow is painted. 

 

,a 

I got a kick out of the towns taking pride in the waymarks. But I have come to deeply appreciate their presence at every junction and crossroads.  Do I go left or right?  Which path leads to a dead end and which to Santiago?  And  a few times when we have gone astray, local people have been right there, turning us around and keeping us on the Way.

A new feature on the waymarks today was the kilometers to go to reach Santiago.  It is still a long way away...but draws nearer every day.

As a pilgrim disciple, what are the waymarks we notice that point the direction to take?  How often do we notice the people and places that point out when to turn in life?  Are we able to stay on the Way to the Kingdom which so often seems a long way off???

Mass

On this lovely feast of Pentecost, a short word about going to Mass along the Way.

The churches in this old Catholic country are beautiful.   Gorgeous architecture accents the skyline of each town.  

The first couple of days of the pilgrimage the churches were open but there was no priest in town.  We received permission to celebrate Mass....so out came my breviary app and Mass was in English prayed on splendid high altars.

When we came to Los Arcos we learned they had a Mass for pilgrims in the evening.  I finally attended Mass in Spanish. I have always been the celebrant when I went to Spanish Mass.  It was wonderful! I was delighted how much I remembered and understood. At the end of the Mass there was a special blessing just for pilgrims. ..what a joy!

It is so good to pray as I walk along but it is so central, so essential to ce.celebrate with Mass.    I love to hear God speak to me through Scripture and I want to give thanks....thanks for the many blessings... thanks for the mercies...thanks for life.  What joy to give thanks always.

Water

Started out from Viana today, went through Logrono and made it to Navarette.   Another 20km done.... slowly. ... but done.

I have been trying to settle how much water I need to stay hydrated each day.   The guidebook mentioned 1 or 2 liters a day besides meals.   Today I had 3 or 4 liters of water and I am not sure if that was enough.  Today was a beautiful, warm, and sunny day. As we walk along, there are many public fountains to replenish the water supply.   The towns so far have had a wide assortment of fountains.   It is quite the source of civic pride.  At the monastery in Irache they even provide wine for the pilgrims....to strengthen us for the journey.   :)

My feet still hurt and I also picked up a brace for my left knee.   Praying as I shuffle along, I was reminded of the promise the Lord made to his disciples... rivers of living water will flow from within the hearts of his people.  I was relying on Him for the last few miles today.   And the Lord gives the strength we need. 

In particular I am praying for our Holy Father as he prays for peace in Israel and Palestine tomorrow.   May the Lord spring forth soothing waters of peace for that dry land of discord.

Walls

My legs woke up sore this morning.   With a couple of Advil and a little warming up, I made today's trek of 19 km to Viana.  We are walking through beautiful rolling hills of vineyards, olive groves and amber waves of grain.  Today in particular I noticed how the Way is framed by numerous and various walls....old and new, strong and broken.  There are retaining walls as well as enclosures.  Stone and brick and wood...all poetically speaking to the limits in life.

Plenty to ponder as my first blisters form.  What are the walls in me?  How do they frame the edge?  What wonderful support do they provide?  How beautiful are the jagged rocks of life when stacked?  What are the limits and the doors that open out from them?