Camino Time

When we were walking the El Camino de Santiago one thing that became very obvious almost immediately was the time factor. We had done our calculations - how fast we could and would walk - how many days to allow for completion of the Camino - what time to wake up - what time to sleep - when to eat - when to take breaks - everything was timed. It took only a few days to toss out all our calculations - the time factor - not a real concern. Instead of watching the time - instead of all the logical calculations - we listened - to our bodies - to our feet - to the Camino itself. What we realized - on the Camino - we were in the process of losing ourselves into time. Time no longer mattered - the important thing was our bodies - our nutrition - the experience. We stopped to take in our surroundings - the sights - the sounds - the stillness. We were absorbed into the Camino - we became the Camino - the Camino became us.

As we focus on our Lenten Camino - we ignore the time factor - how many days or weeks in Lent does not matter. How quickly we connect more deeply with God - with Jesus - is not important. Jesus does not wear a watch - nor does God - they are eternal - outside of time - in a place where time does not exist. One day is as a thousand and a thousand are as one. The important factor is connecting - connecting well - connecting for life. On this Lenten Camino we seek to go deeper than ever before - we seek a more meaningful relationship - one that will last a lifetime. We seek life - eternal life - for ourselves.

Deacon Dale