High point

Today's walk was from El Acebo to Rabanal over Monte Irago which is the highest point on the Camino.  Atop the mountain is the famous Cruz de Ferro.  For centuries pilgrims have brought stones to set at the foot of the cross... representing their prayers or their sins or their burdens that they give to God.  A historical marker there also mentioned that pilgrims returning from Santiago would leave a stone in thanksgiving for having made it safely to the Apostle's tomb.  I certainly have many reasons to give thanks to God!





Up

Today's walk was gorgeous and lovely.  The sun was shining, a gentle breeze blowing, and the Camino went gently along the road to Molinaseca and then up the side of the mountain along a dirt track to El Acebo.  I am very thankful for the time to walk, the beauty to behold and the mercy of the Camino.  









Rest

Decided to pull up short today and stop in Ponferrada.  A little extra rest seems in order.  





Fruit

Today granted a grand walk through the fertile fields of Bierzo. I went through Villafranco de Bierzo and landed in Cacabelos. 

The vineyards and orchards stretched as far as the eye could see and were as close as the hand to reach up and pick one.

It provided a lovely backdrop for contemplating today's gospel... you will know a tree by its fruit.  St. Paul is quite explicit in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.





On a good day we can manifest at least one or two of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Which fruit do you have for God to pick today from the branches of your life as He walks along?

Foggy

Walked down the mountain today to Trabadelo under sunny skies that got progressively warmer.  But the morning was socked in with fog.

It's hard to see in the pea soup.  Challenging to find the markers for the path.  All the vistas were gone.  Yet the Scriptures say that God dwells in such cloud and darkness.  How lovely it is to walk with Him....

Hills

A delightful day of walking through the mountains of Galicia to O'Cebreiro.  The sun was out, a breeze was blowing and the vistas were glorious all day long.  

This is my last day in Galicia and it was the most beautiful!  On previous walks it was overcast, if not pouring rain here.  This time she decided to smile!

Behold

John the Baptist is one of the grand figures in salvation history.  All four gospels include him and his ministry preparing the Way for the Lord.  He called Israel to repent, to make room in their lives and their hearts for God.  He was a wildly popular prophet drawing crowds from all over.  

But it never went to his head.  "He must increase, I must decrease."  After he baptized Jesus in the Jordan, he proclaimed to his own disciples the line we continue to use at each Mass.  "Behold the Lamb of God!"

May we pay attention that the Lord is in our midst. May we open our hearts and make room for Him. May we decrease, and He increase.