Dear Beloveds,
The accepted definition of a pilgrim is “one who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.” For six days last week, I was a pilgrim in every sense of the word. Words cannot begin to describe what I experienced, but I will make a meager attempt here, and I look forward to sharing what God showed me last week with you in my upcoming sermons.
I took a week of study leave to walk the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James, and walked the last 100 kilometers to reach the great cathedral in Santiago. It is said that this location is one of the three most visited religious sites for Christians, the other two being Rome and Jerusalem. My traveling partner was one of my youth group students when I was a Youth Pastor over 30 years ago; she has grown up to be a wonderful, wise woman and one of my closest friends.
The pilgrimage is a journey that challenges not only the body, but the soul, and I was so grateful to experience this meaningful and fulfilling adventure. The day started each morning with breakfast, and then a trek for hours until the day’s end, walking through the stunning landscape of Galacia, Spain. We did not encounter another sojourner on the path until the 4th day in; it was a beautiful and silent trek that led us through streams, rocks, and forest. The only sounds were the songs of birds.
Each step of the Camino is infused with the knowledge that so many have gone before, hoping for redemption or illumination; it was a time of deep prayer and meditation. Never have I felt so profoundly close to God and God’s creation as I have in this past week.
The physical challenges of the Camino are undeniable, as each day, one carries a backpack, walking sticks, facing the weather and all your thoughts, prayers, and emotions. But amidst the sheer exhaustion, there was a wonderful sense of liberation and peace that accompanied each day, as we relied on the simple markers in the road to lead the way. It was truly a remarkable opportunity to strip the worries and weight of everyday life away and to focus on just the next step on the path. We had two first days of blazing sun then the rest of the week was cold, rainy, and foggy, and every day brought a new and different challenge to face—but each step was a joy.
The Camino is truly a journey of self-discovery, connecting with God, and connecting with oneself. I could not help but be filled with awe and wonder about all the souls who travelled the same road before me.
Last week was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life; I was stretched mentally, physically, and spiritually-- and I am so grateful for it. I hope to go next year for my study week once again, and I hope that I will keep the lessons from the Camino in my heart every day.
With great love for you,
Pastor Grace
