Buen Camino -- Good Walk

The Spanish phrase Buen Camino is a common expression when pilgrims passed one

Mile 0, Fisterra, Spain

another along the El Camino. Buen Camino is a greeting that acknowledges pilgrims on the journey as we pass one another along the path. It means 'good walk' or 'good way.' As we walked, we met many pilgrims on a 'good walk' or 'good way.'  Each one had different reasons for making their journey. Some of the pilgrims enjoyed hiking and found the journey challenging and exhilarating. Others believed that walking the El Camino was a good way to see the country and meet new people. There were pilgrims who were on a spiritual journey and some were walking to sort out personal issues that they brought with them on the journey. Although we had different reasons for the pilgrimage, all of us finished the journey with a new perspective of who we are or what we need to change. 

Within the El Camino tradition, it is not uncommon for the pilgrims to make the 90 kilometer walk to the Finisterre -- or literally, the 'end of the earth' (Latin) to consecrate new decisions. Here, at the end of the earth, there is a tradition to throw a rock, a shell, or other personal effect into the ocean as a way to end one journey and begin another one. For the spiritual person this may be something of a confession or a decision to change something about us, to 'turn around' and grow in a new way. It is a reminder of our baptism and the cycle of faith that has endings and new beginnings. It is that moment when we acknowledge that our spiritual change, also requires a personal commitment. Like confession or reconciliation, both are meaningless if we say the words, but do not make an effort to live differently. 

While spending time at Finisterre, I recalled the passage from Paul. He writes: "Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised in imperishable, and we will be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Paul's words for his church in Corinth, were intended to be words of comfort in a time when many were skeptical of resurrection and were afraid of the change that is the essence and meaning of the action of the resurrection -- a choice to live life differently.  For me, this passages takes away any fear of change and invites us to embrace change as a part of the spiritual journey of individuals, groups, and even congregations. It is a 'Finisterre' -- our ending and a new beginning. It is the 'good way' -- Buen Camino. What is the good way for me, for us now? When we reach the end of one journey and choose a new beginning,  what does this look like? What are we afraid of and what is new and exciting about the new beginning? What is our personal commitment to the decisions we are making? Are you able to embrace the change as 'a mystery' that will not end in death, but will, instead,  invite us into another resurrection -- a good way. Finisterre? Where is it for you?

Pilgrims on  the Santiago Plaza

"In our end is our beginning; in our time infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see." In the bulb there is a flower, by Natalie Sleeth

Buen Camino my friends! 

Along the Road, Easter Happens

A city street in Pontevedra, Spain

Prior to leaving for the El Camino, a colleague expressed to me that I would experience Easter in a new way. Instead of leading Lent, Holy Week and Easter services, you will be free to experience Easter in a different way and a different place. 

While walking, I checked my E-mail and learned that the theme for Messy Church in my congregation for the month of May would be 'roads in the Bible'. Quite fitting for one who was traveling many different roads, pathways, and forest trails on the way Santiago de Compostela. 

As I continued my walk, I thought of the various roads that were mentioned in the Bible where extraordinary things happened. I thought of Paul on the Road to Damascus. The Gospel of Mark is really only one journey, the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem -- to his death and ultimate resurrection. Certainly a motif that has been particulary poignant as Carly and I walk the El Camino during Holy Week and arrive at the Cathedral on Holy Saturday. There was the pathway the women took when they learned that Jesus had risen. I am thinking of the parable of the Good Samaritan who found a beaten man on the road to Jericho, and two pilgrims on their way to Emmaus, struggling to understand the crucifixion of Jesus and discovered Jesus in the breaking of the bread. These and many more bible stories are shared in the context of a journey and in all of them, Easter happens. 

As I think about our El Camino walk, I journeyed with the same spirit. Where does Easter happen on the road to Santiago De Compostela? On our first day, a little help from veteran El Camino walkers helped us to find where our walk in Porto would begin. In the

Forest Path, Vila Praia de Ancora, Portugal

assurance of others, both veterans and newbies on the Camino, Easter happens. A long walk along the Atlantic Ocean is beautiful, but how wonderful to find an island of fresh water to fill our water-bottles. In the fountains and pools along the way, Easter happens. With the help of a resident, just taking her garbage to the dumpster, with no intentions to meet strangers looking for a taxi, goes out of her way to help us contact a taxi service. Along the way, Easter happens. A pilgrim falls along the El Camino and pilgrims rush to her aide and make sure that she is okay. Yes, there were language barriers, but nonetheless, first aid was given and she was cared for as best as the pilgrims were able to do. Yes, Easter happens. There were mountains shrouded by the early morning fog, the sound of ocean waves breaking against the shore, the song of birds, the smell of Mother Earth in the early morning and beautiful sunrises and sunsets and were a witness to Easter morning. Along the Camino way, Easter happened. 

The use of roads and pathways in the Bible are metaphors for Easter experiences. Along the Bible roads, great, wonderful, spiritual and significant things happen that change lives in ways we least expect. On the road to Damascus, Paul sees the risen Christ and changes his ways. The women, believing they are going to attend to the lifeless body of their friend, Jesus, are the first witnesses to God's greatness in the Resurrection. How could their lives not change? When the good Samaritan came to the aid of the beaten man, he put his own needs aside and provided the care the man needed on the road to Jericho. Do you ever wonder what ever happened to the beaten man? How could he not be changed? On the road to Emmaus, two disciples see the face of the risen Christ in broken bread. Along the road, Easter happens. 

Father Richard Rohr is a priest, author, and writer that puts new images of the Christian faith before us that inspire and empower us. In a Easter sermon he preached in 2019 he makes the point that every message about Jesus is a message about all of us. I think for me, my El Camino walk has seen this truth in multiple ways along the path to Santiago de Compostela. Rohr suggests that we make Easter all about the individual Resurrection of Jesus rather than a Festival of Hope for humanity. Easter is a feast of hope, diretion, purpose, meaning and community that reminds us that Easter happens to us, along the way, from death to life, and from despair to renewal. Yes, I experienced Easter differently this year. I experienced Easter everyday along the Camino Way. 

An Easter Prayer

 Easter Alleluia

by Philip Fox of the Iona Community

Jesus is Risen, death's conqueror! 

To the Risen giver of life, 

to the Risen giver of love, 

to the Risen guide for the future, 

Praise and thanks to God! 

Praise and thanks for new life, 

Praise and thanks for new love, 

Praise and thanks for renewed future, 

Thanks be to God. 

Sunrise along the El Camino, Caldas de Reis

Which way, now?

 

Directional symbol, Portugal

It's a regular question along the El Camino, which way now? Frequently Carly and I stop along the trail to consult our Camino app or Google maps. We're not the only ones doing this. The pilgrims, or peragrinos, (pilgrim in Spanish) along the way are doing the same thing. Yes, the El Camino is well marked, for the most part, but from time to time, it isn't as well marked and finding our hotel each evening and back to the trail each morning, is often a challenge as we try to get back on track. What a relief for us when we see an arrow, a mile marker, or an official plague positioned in such a place that aids the peragrinos on their journey. Looking for signs is something that brings the anxious spirit, calm. 

As I think about the Christian scripture, I am aware of many times that the disciples, followers, or others reference 'signs' -- 'signs' that point to Jesus as the Son of God. In Matthew, Jesus finds himself in a conflict with the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He says to the leaders of the Jewish faith, "The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus[a] they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." Matthew 16:1-3. Like us, the disciples and religious leaders like signs. It helps them to know what to expect and a reality check to make sure they are on the right track. 

Beyond the physical presence of mile markers and the assurance of arrows, the El Camino is a pilgrimage of the spirit that asks the question of us, which way now? Along the El Camino there is ample time to reflect on who we are, who we have been, and what new promise is God

revealing to me that will change me, challenge me, and cause me to grow. Buddaha is credited to have said: "What you are is what you have been, what you will be is what you do now." The signs along the El Camino are physical markers that assure us that we are on the path of the El Camino. Yet between the signs and along the way, there is a great deal of space to reflect upon and ask the question, 'what now?' 

As I reflect upon 'signs' and do some of my own growing, I am also thinking about congregations that have found themselves in a different place. There was a time when 'church' was an important part of the lives of family and central, influential fixtures within cities, neighborhoods and communities. Over the last thirty years, this is no longer the case. There are many reasons that this is the case and all of us who have been involved in the faith communities, have been asking the question, 'which way, now?' for a very long time. The direction for local congregations is no longer clear. The community and the neighborhoods, no longer support the notion that Christian Churches are an important aspect of community living. Like the pilgrims along the El Camino, the disciples and religious leaders of the Jesus culture, and congregations in transition, we are asking for signs -- signs that guide us to a new way of being, or as Buddha says, '...what you will be is what you do now..." This is a message that is worth our time and reflection. Now, at this point in our life -- or our life together, what will we be now. The signs may be more obvious than we think. 

Becoming!

Thomas Merton is credited with the question that guided our walk a couple of days ago. He writes, "What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are useless." 

 As pilgrims to Santiago, we are invited to reflect on a such thinking as this Merton quote. Along the way, Carly and I came across this intriguing sculpture that depicts the unfinished form of a man and a woman. The sculptures invite us in to our own souls, asking the question, 'what am I becoming?' With the sculptures before us and Merton's quote, we can find space along the El Camino to reflect on 'becoming.' 

As I ponder the question of the day, my mind recalls the words from the Psalm 8, "When I look in your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" (vs. 3) There are many times in our life when we ask the question, 'who am I?' Our possible answers likely reflects where we find ourselves at various points in our life and our answers change over time. On our journey along the El Camino, we are walking at a time when Russia has ruthlessly and without cause, invaded Ukraine. There are still refugees from Syria struggling to resettle from a war of power and greed. The United States is as divided today as we were in the years leading up to our Civil War. We still want to separate the world by race and privilege, and we are inclined to definitively define what is right and what is good, most often reflecting our own preference and dismissing those whose values are different than our own. What are any of our great accomplishments as a nation, as a world, and as human beings created by God if we cannot see one another as made in the image of God?

As we make our journey along the El Camino, we have met pilgrims from around the world. We stopped and enjoyed water and bread with two women from Florida, we trailed through a rugged wooded pass with a young man from Sweden. We spent a rainy day walking with two women, one from Scotland and the other from Spain. We had breakfast with a couple from Denmark, and chatted outside an ancient chapel with a family from Portugal. We have passed pilgrims from Austria, Germany, Holland, the Netherlands, and folks from Switzerland. All of us created by the dust of the earth, each from different parts of the world, and all of us on a journey of becoming. Although we come from different places, our journey brings us together, reminding us that the greatest gift -- more than technology, landings on the moon, beautiful buildings that have past the test of time, or the algrorithims that guide the work of the day is the human spirit that seeks common ground, listens to understand, and desires, more than anything else, to bridge the abyss that separates us from our humanity. 

What are you becoming? A question to ponder and an opportunity to continue to break into the sculpture, the mold, the person God created you to be. Can we walk this journey with a spirit of humility and a heart that listens, a heart that hears, the laughter and the joy that brings our Creator fulfillment? Can we see each person we meet the way God intended each person to be? Becoming. The sculptor is God and the choices we make are the colors that will set us apart from all those who would choose to separate and divide God's human family. 

From Sea to Shining Sea

Pacific Ocean,  Costa Rica

 As we begin our Camino journey, we find ourselves following the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. Much of our journey through Portugal follows the Atlantic Coast. In some places the shoreline is rugged while in other places the waves meet the shore with no obvious barriers to break the constant movement of the ocean waves. The ocean is doing what it has done from beginning of time -- moving with the tides. As we watch the waves break along the shore, we realize that we have been blessed to experience both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in ten days. The gift of the sea reminds us that we are one small part of the world God imagined on that first day of creation when the scripture reported that God separated the water from the land. 

As I reflect upon the two oceans, I am recalling the lyrics to two American songs about our land, "God Bless America" and "This Land is your Land." I know that neither ocean is exclusively American property, but these songs express the beauty that I see as we journey from one ocean to another. 

Atlantic Ocean, Portugal

This land is your land and this land is my land From California to the New York island From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me

From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home

As much as we love these songs and they express our warm feelings about the land that makes up the United States, we have so much to learn from the nations of Portugal and Costa Rica. As we journeyed through these nations, we were impressed with the number of electric cars parked along the streets. Walking or cycling is the preferred travel and throughout the country, it is not uncommon to see wind turbines, solar panels on homes, multiple charging points for electric cars. Homes and furniture are made from 100% recycled plastic and much of the resources of the nations are invested in the care of their natural world. Their attention to such detail demonstrates to me what God asked of Adam and Eve, "...to care and tend garden..." 

Truly the gift of creation and the land each of our nations are blessed to have in trust, is a fragile and delicate balance of the natural laws of the earth. As we walk along the Atlantic shore of the nation of Portugal, the power of the ocean, the movement of the wind, the formation of the earth is so much bigger than our own sense of power and strength. The earth is doing all that it can to keep the natural balance. Some nations and its people are more in tune with the rhythm of the earth while others still have much work to do. Our spirits are full today and we are blessed to have the opportunity to expereince. As God separated the earth from the waters, we are reminded that all is in place for the earth to survive and our human spirits must also partner with God to keep the earth healthy, viable and beautiful. May we embrace our partnership and be at one with the earth. 

A Prayer for the El Camino Pilgrimage

 

God of beginnings and endings

God of wanderers, pilgrims, disciples, 

truth seekers and ordinary people on a journey of faith, 

 we call out to 

you at the beginning of our Pilgrimage 

and pray for your wisdom, your protection, and 

your guidance. 

We pray for the people of Portugal and Spain

as they provide for us a pathway that has given

joy, delight, and hope to Christians throughout 

the centuries. Thank you God for people of faith and 

hospitality that have offered us food, homes, 

guidance and direction. 

Thank you God for the Apostle James, though eager and 

and often confused as to his role as a follower of Jesus. 

It is his own weakness, God, that gives us strength to make

this journey, his own hopes and dreams to spread

the love of Jesus Christ to this part of the world. 

Upon his faith, his wisdom, and his actions that we can 

confidently make our own Way to your grace and love. 

God, I pray for my body as it sets out on this journey. 

I pray that you will guide my feet, give me courage

when I doubt, and hope with each step I take. Strengthen

my resolve and my determination embrace the 

mystery and joy of this journey and may my 

heart with joy, my body with resolve and my 

spirit open to the mysteries of my faith. In you, O God, 

I give myself to you. Amen.