Metaphor, Metaphor

Metaphor is that literary form that has meaning beyond itself.  Walking down the Camino is a festival of metaphors; metaphors that point to the path of life.  The way to preserver as you walk continually each day is to simply focus on each step with head down and pace constant.  Every once in a while you raise your head to look for markers to keep you on the intended path; but then return to pace and position looking at the path as you traverse it.  What you see is metaphor.  

You see patterns of treads from thousands of hiking shoes and boots of all kinds and brands.  You see only the partial and never a consistent whole.  Each tread is overcome and replaced by the one that came after it. You see patterns of treads of bicycle tires more consistent than shoes and boots; but also quickly over ridden by another.  You see metaphors for people whose lives are both independent and intertwined by the path of their lives on the Camino.  You see a metaphor for all of our lives; intertwined, independent; overlapping and yet a community at the same time.  

The Camino is scenic at times; taking the pilgrim down lanes of isolated nature in woods and fields and conveying peace.  The Camino is challenging at times demanding the assent of remote paths into the hills and mountains and yielding breath taking moments as the reward is peering out over vistas of vast beauty. The Camino is routine at times as the path partners its way along the highways of commerce that scream with the noise of trucks and autos. The Camino is grotesque at times as the path takes the pilgrim past industrial areas, waster areas, even garbage dumps.  To whatever view the Camino takes the pilgrim the role of the pilgrim is simply to give thanks and place their gaze to the next placement of the next step given the ability to make the same from God. 

In micro as one contemplates each step or in macro as one contemplates settings or context of multiple steps or the path as a totality it is metaphor; a metaphor of the gift of life in its beauty, it's routine or even its ugliness.  It is a gift from God.  It is the reality and the gift of life the path we walk today in the sure and certain hope of the path to come where by grace we will step.

Parable of the Wine

A parable to share this day; what I call the parable of the wine.  Walking on a pilgrimage to Santigo de Compostela one day a pilgrim came to a hostel or Albergue that was somewhat unique; a place where pilgrims were told to be at home; where the kitchen was fully stocked with food for the use of pilgrims and the cost was left up to the individual.  It was called an honest kitchen; one where you used whatever you wished and placed in the container the value of that which was used; as you alone determined it.  It as a communal experience.

One pilgrim bought a bottle of wine; fine Spanish wine costing 1.50 euros and brought it back to the kitchen had a glass wine and told other pilgrims it was theirs to enjoy.  Later in the day the pilgrim who bought the wine came back for another glass; but found a smiling German pilgrim who had just finished the wine.  The pilgrim who had purchased the wine had not told his German friend the wine was for anyone; but rather he assumed it as such and finished the bottle.

Later at dinner time the first pilgrim was making his dinner from the communal kitchen; opened the refrigerator and there was a bottle of fine Spanish wine; communal wine he thought and he took a glass.  As he sat down in the garden to enjoy dinner and a fine wine he heard a cry from the Spainish pilgrim at the other end of the table. "Why are you drinking my wine; a wine of five euros in cost; and my wine!" What responded the first. "Any wine in the communal kitchen is for the community; the value of my glass is in the collection box." The Spansh pilgrim was angry, finished HIS bottle quickly, muted run the whole time. 

Now what is the meaning of this parable? That is up to the reader. First drink a glass of wine!

Old Habits Hang ON

Habits Die Hard

Why do two men at 6:30 in the morning stand at a pedestrian crossing with no traffic and refuse to walk against the light; not for a few seconds but for a few minutes.  One man is Japanese and from a culture where such individuality is frowned upon; the other a man who lived in Japan recognized the fellow traveler as a person from Japan and was determined to to insult the culture of a Japanese pilgrim in Spain by moving forward.  Habits some good some not so are hard to break even when on a pilgrimage.  For the Japanese man the idea that in Spain he had to observe the same conventions that he learned in Japan; for the other man the same determination that he did not want to embarrass the Japanese man; or be judged by that same man to be less than honorable.  If both are on the Camino in Spain to experience new directions; to be open to new ways is it not time to leave old habits behind?  God answered the question when I turned to my left; getting impatient with the time delay and noticed a button that was to be pushed to change the signal from red to green.  On Camino God is pushing our buttons to find new ways and new life.  The same happens each day no matter where anyone is on their path.  We need to turn and notice!!!

Gift or Desperation 

We stayed in an Albergue last evening that was in fact a mission outreach for  Oasis Ministries.  We were in the village of Villamayor de Monjardin.  I was a bit taken back when they prayed at dinner; tried to engage in conversation that allowed the sharing of faith stories; gave us the Gospel according to John as a gift in the language of each person at dinner and finally let us know that there was a time for reflection offered at 8:30 pm.  Upon reflection however I noted that nothing was offered with an edge of Church evangelism; the staff was from multiple denominations; thus no visible denominational doctrine etc.  The entire offerings  were a gift for the pilgrim; regardless of faith tradition.  The good news of Jesus Christ was shared as pure gift.  The motivation as presented was welcoming gift.  It felt much different even more genuine than evangelism whose motive feels more like an attempt to salvage an institution; the Church than the simply gifting as we have been gifted with the eternal all inclusive love of God in Jesus Christ.  

Perhaps evangelism as pure gift; motivation that grows out of sharing the gift we have already received rather than as a means to preserve the institution is the only real evangelism for each of us to engage.  Motive matters; sharing love is gifting. Recruiting out of fear for the institution is passive taking away.

Thoughts from a Medival Town

Thought from Cirauqui, Spain

It is a ok if you have never of Cirauqui, Spain.  It is a medival town of 450 or so inhabitants.  The name in Basque means placer of vipers; a town build a about 1000 years ago on a hill opt rock.  Here like in many of the towns there is a central church and a populace that is well just friendly and welcoming.  They welcome with hospitality and smiles those who walk the Camino for whatever it is we seek in our pilgrimage.  They welcome those who seek meaning; those who seek direction; those who seek the joy of sacrifice; those who walk for ... This is a path I choose to walk to Santiago to hear the voice of God in the people of this town; in the openness of fellow pilgrims willing to share their stories. The days are long; the pain is consistent and constant; but it may not overcome the joy of walking to hear God; in the voices of the sounds along the path, in the sharing of fellow pilgrims; in the smiles and wisdom of the shop keepers. So tonight one rests in a medival town and tomorrow in another  village along Camino until Santiago or until God chooses to end the path.

JB

Focus for Your Path

Focus for the Path

Walking Camino to Pamplona the words that came to me were "focus on the stones; your stones that would cause to you stumble from God's path for you.  When you focus on them you overcome them; you accept they are there; either of your own making or placed there for reasons never to be understood; but able to be overcome with the gift of vision from God."  As this was being pondered; the thought that rapped around me was Jesus reminding us about the splinter in another's eye that we emphasize and miss the log in our own; log or stone we stray from the path of God's inclusive love; the path we have been given.  Focus on the path; with clear vision overcome the stones; your stones.

JB