Today's feast of St. James the Greater, son of Zebedee and brother of John, brings to mind the famous El Camino, the walk that thousands of pilgrims take from southern France, across the Pyrenees to the Cathderal of St. James in Compostela, Spain. Many of the pilgrims continue further south to the coast to pick up a seashell, the badge of verification that indeed they accomplished this 750+ mile walk. It is believed that St. James brought the faith to Spain before his death at the hands of Herod Agrippa in 42 AD, and his body is buried in the cathedral. People of all walks of life and all levels of faith make the pilgirmage seeking peace of soul, resolution of problems, physical and spiritual healings, or simply to show their love of God and trust in him..
El Camino is a reminder that we are all on pilgrimage with ups and downs, moments when it seems impossible to go on, fatigue, exhileration, dryness of soul, doubt and consolation. The words of Sirach again today are filled with the wisdom of experience and inspiration that provide sustenance for our own journeys:
My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.
Cling to him, do not leave him,
that you may prosper in your least days.
Accept what happens to you;
in periods of humiliation be patieint.
For in fire gold is tested,
and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust in God, and he will help you;
make your ways straight and hope in him. (Sir 2: 1-6)
Bro. Rene
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