Walking Blind

One item that most people carry with them on the Camino de Santiago is a hiking headlamp - very useful for those times when walking in the dark - very early in the morning - late at night after sundown. It is also handy for those times when you have to move around the albergue in the night - after lights out. Making sure you can easily see where you are walking - avoiding objects - obstacles - that would cause you to trip - stumble - while on your Camino. Nothing could be worse than attempting to walk - blind - not being able to see where you are headed.

In today's Gospel - we hear the story of the man born blind - forced to be immobile - to sit - to beg - to rely on others. Jesus' disciples ask if it was his parents' or the man himself who sinned - who caused the blindness. Jesus replied - neither - rather that it was in God's plan - to allow a natural disability - not a sin - to be used to make the works of God visible through him. Many people suffer from blindness - spiritual blindness - their own desires - leading them away from God - away from His plan - to follow designs of others - to build their own reality - not God's. In relying on themselves - not God - they unwittingly create a thirst for the truth - in those around them - in themselves. It is only through the real presence of God - that light may be shined on their hearts - that their blindness be removed - their thirst quenched - that they follow the One Lord - Jesus - to wholeness.

Deacon Dale 

Getting Stoned

According to the Urban Dictionary - being or getting stoned - refers to those who smoke marijuana - weed - grass - resulting in a -  high - euphoric - condition - feeling numb - relaxed. Many who allowed themselves too get this way reported that sitting on a couch - they felt their limbs to be so heavy - unable to move  as if their arms - legs - were heavy as stones - thus the stoned reference.  While walking the Camino de Santiago - getting stoned meant something completely different - terrain filled with all sizes of rocks  that made walking very difficult. One particular path was a downhill stretch where the path was filled with loose stones the size of croquet balls - often moving under foot - causing many to fall - injure arms - legs - some falling on faces - bruises galore. Luckily - they survived - feeling sore - but alive.

Most people know the scripture about the woman who was a public sinner and was about to be stoned to death - until Jesus appeared. When asked what His judgement was - He knelt down -drew in the dust and replied - that the person in the crowd who was without sin -  should  throw the first stone. None threw a stone - none were without sin - they all walked away - the woman untouched by a single  stone. For His part - Jesus - told that woman He did not condemn her either - rather forgave her - told her to go - sin no more. As we reflect on our own lives - as we see the sins in our lives - as we ask if we would be stoned or forgiven - we need to trust that Jesus is the same today as He was with that woman - 2000 years ago . To us He says - I do no condemn you - you are forgiven - go - sin no more.

Deacon Dale

Reflections

While walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain we would take breaks as frequently as possible near water - streams running alongside the path - bridges over streams and rivers - places to rest - cool our feet - relax with back packs off. One interesting thing was how clear the water was - everywhere we looked you could see everything - fish - rocks - sand - ocassionly your own reflection in the water. You could see how tired and sweaty you were or were not - the sun shinning over your shoulder - beautiful reflections - piercing to your heart.

Today on our Lenten Camino we take time to pause and reflect on our lives - what is good - what is not so good. What we have fixed and what still needs repair.  As we quiet ourselves in our thoughts and prayers today - we invite Jesus into our hearts - we reflect on how we have or have not made Him a part of our lives. As we seek Him in a deeper way - we seek to see His goodness - His love reflected in our souls. Today we reflect in the waters of our spirit - and ask ourselves - do others see God reflected in us....

Deacon Dale 

Roadblocks

During the course of daily travel many people are inconvenienced by roadblocks - temporary barriers placed in the intended path of travel - interruptions -disruptions - to a direct and swift route. In an automobile - an irritation - confusion as to an alternate route - a delay in time of arrival. Walking on the Camino de Santiago in Spain - not an issue - barriers - simply walked around - change in path - inconsequential. Considering that most people would walk that route only once in a lifetime - they would not even know that it was not an original part of the Camino path - unless pointed out by another trekker or a sign. In life other roadblocks exist - leading to serious concern - anxiety - frustration.

During our Lenten Camino - roadblocks - mainly those of time limitations. Since our journey is a spiritual one and not a physical one - obstacles with this Camino - other commitments - other distractions. As we continue our Lenten exercise we need to focus - our energy - time - efforts - on the spiritual part of our lives. We must allow ourselves - time to be - time to rest - in the presence of God. Those who participate in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - know - appreciate - this quiet time. Each of us - walking this Lenten Camino - with Jesus - needs to see past our roadblocks - into the heart of Jesus - to be.

Deacon Dale 

Mary's a grand old name

Mary has to be one of the most common names we all know - everyone knows a Mary - on the Camino de Santiago the Spanish version of Mary - Maria - is quite common. We heard it in the pubs and albergues - the majority of churches were named in honor of Santa Maria - Saint Mary. While walking the Camino - thinking - meditating - praying - our thoughts turned very often to Mary - Mother of Jesus.

Last night we had the privilege to view a special showing of "Mary of Nazareth" arranged by our church at the local cinema. The movie was very well done - acting excellent - the story of Jesus' life as viewed  through Mary's eyes. We realize that most of the movie has to be conjecture - an opinion or idea based on incomplete information - what we viewed was reasonable. Nobody actually wrote about Saint Mary - what she did or thought - from details shared by her - but one can make certain statements - known to be true of the majority of women - the majority of mothers - using that logic - Mary's actions in the movie completely believable. As we continue to walk our Lenten Camino - we pause and reflect - we look at Jesus - through the eyes of His mother - seeing - for the first time - Jesus in a completely different light - new ideas - not previously embraced. We see more - we see deeper - into our own relationship with our Lord - our Saviour.

Deacon Dale 

You Snooze You Lose

While walking the Camino in Spain - it was a daily ritual for many - waking up very early in the morning - 5:00 AM - to get a head start - leaving the albergue before the majority of other peregrinos. The goal - walking in the cool morning to avoid the afternoon heat - having more daylight so they could walk father - being able to get to the next albergue early to guarantee a place to sleep. Many were compelled to start this early for the fear that they would miss out on something - afraid of "snooze - you lose" mentality. We did not subscribe to that philosophy - we slept later - had less anxiety - accomplished our daily goals - stress free

While we are on our Lenten Camino - we find that we do follow the idea - you snooze - you lose. Being attentive throughout our day - listening to God - seeking His presence - in every waking hour - is very important. There is no race here - the awareness - the importance - working on our relationship with God - a very high priority. This Lent - each of us has to stay awake - we cannot afford to snooze - for we know not the hour when He will return.

Deacon Dale

Singing on the Camino

Walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela gives everyone plenty of time to think- meditate - pray - sing - photograph - draw - actually anything. When you have nothing to do but walk up to 500 miles - you find yourself with a lot of free time on your hands. Your mind needs to be kept alert - active - engaged. Walking with a partner - some of that time is spent in conversation.  In our case I filled some of the time with Arlene - singing. Hard to believe - since I am not a singer - on the Camino - I assaulted her ears - with improvised tunes - words - that spoke - feelings - for her ears only. It was fun - private - energizing.

On our Lenten Camino - in our free time - we experience silence - words - music - song. Most of the time during Lent - the music focuses on Jesus - God - penance. The tunes and words draws our minds and hearts closer to His presence - His reality - His acceptance - His forgiveness. As you continue your Lenten Camino - keep your ears open - for the songs that Jesus sings to you - it might be interesting - what you will hear.

Deacon Dale 

Water - Water - Everywhere

One thing we learned very early in our research for walking the Camino de Santiago de Composterla - the importance of water - the lack of - the dangers of - the issues to cope with. As with any long day hike or trek - those walking must maintain good hydration. Walkers have to start their trek well hydrated - maintain their hydration - make allowances for the elimination of the same. When walking for six - seven - eight - hours - trekkers must be sure to carry water with them - in water bottles - hydration bladders - readily accessible when needed. We noticed on our walk that it was about fifty-fifty for those who carried water bottles - used hydration systems. We chose the hydration system - a 1.8 liter BIG ZIP Platypus bladder inside our backpacks - coupled to a hose and bite valve - ensuring ready access to free flowing water. We drank enough water daily that we never had to cope with thirst and because we perspired so much - almost never had to find a place to eliminate excess water.

Water is so life giving - it keeps us hydrated - it is cooling in hot weather - it cleanses - refreshes - it literally is a large part of who and what we are.  In today's Gospel - Jesus meets the woman at the well and He promises her - living water - water that will nourish so much - she will never thirst. The Gospel today looks forward to the Easter Vigil when the Elect - the catechumens - are baptized - given new life in Christ. The Liturgy - today and the next two weeks - focuses on baptism - reception into the Church - full communion - with those already initiated into God's family. For those of us - already baptized - already full members of Christ's church - we watch and observe these Elect - we celebrate the Gift - which we have already received - joyously waiting for their initiation - for their Lenten Camino to be completed - to reach that point in their lives when they will completely understand - you and I - as we constantly seek a deeper relationship to God - to Jesus - when we say - I Thirst.

Deacon Dale 

Weekend Walkers

As the temperature rises and the weather gets better - many people will take to the outdoors for all sorts of activities - among them walking and hiking - especially on the weekends.  On the Camino in Spain there is no difference between weekdays and weekends - every day is the same. The daily routine is identical - day after day - waking early - walking during the day - laundry late afternoon - early to bed. Even those who normally attend church services on Sunday morning - continue  their daily walk. Along the Camino - morning church is rare - evening services more  the norm - even on Sundays. It works for those walking - for  those who live along the Camino.

In America - in most other places - weekends are reserved for errands on Saturday mornings - church on Sunday mornings. Few places offer church services in the evenings - so Sunday morning services - for the majority of those - does not allow time for Sunday morning activities. On our Lenten Camino - we walk daily - even on Sundays - every day - the same as the next. Every day a gift from God - every day - a chance to grow closer to God - every Lent - a chance to grow in holiness. Spend your weekend with Jesus - He will walk with you on your journey.

Deacon Dale 

Walking the Stations

Many pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela follow the popular French route - aka - the Camino Frances. One author - John Brierley - has a Camino guide - broken up into stages - each stage representing a year of Christ's life. Each stage - station - describes in detail where to walk - how to find waymarks - historical notes on each specific stage. This guide is used by a very large number of pilgrims - seeking a comfortable way to make the journey from beginning to end. It has maps - drawings - pictures - showing the way to Santiago.

As we progress  through the many days of Lent - our Lenten Camino will lead us to Fridays - that day of the week when Catholic churches around the globe hold Friday night - Stations of the Cross. A time of prayer - reflection - as Lenten pilgrims walk the individual Stations that Jesus walked - on His way to Calvary. Most parishes offer a prayer book - a guide - complete with pictures - drawings - that help participants follow the correct path - follow the spoken prayers - to lead them to their destination - to the Cross at Calvary - to experience - in their own way - the journey Jesus walked to His crucifixion - His death - His resurection. May your Lenten Camino bring you face to face with the Cross of Christ.

Deacon Dale