Today we climbed about 1000 feet to the village of Rabanal. The rustic inn we are staying in tonight is a remodeled hospital for pilgrims originally built in the 16th century! We are staying in a building older than our country! Tomorrow we strike out early to finish the climb up another 400 meters to arrive at the Cruz de Ferro (at about 1 mile elevation). It is here that we will place the rocks that we have carried from the beginning of the camino, along with our prayers and thanksgivings. The history of the cross predates Christianity. Evidently either the Celts or Romans originally worshipped on this mountain and Christianity claimed it by erecting the cross over a thousand years ago. Pilgrims throughout the centuries have placed rocks at the foot of the cross, representing their prayers. Tomorrow, we shall do likewise. We will hike several kilometers further and then using the good wisdom our Lord gave to us, we will hire a taxi to take us down the mountain (a rapid and somewhat dangerous decent of about 800 meters) to the town of Ponferrada where we will enjoy a sabbath.
As a reflection, I would offer this thought from the Camino. Jesus never settled for the status quo. And the same is true on the Camino. With every step the terrain changes, the scenery changes as well. Mountains that were confused with clouds several days ago now stare us in the eye and tomorrow we climb to the top. Goals that we set each day come and go…and each day holds a new goal, with more steps to take, and more things to see and challenges to meet.
I wonder if we don't become satisfied in our Christian walk? Do we try to walk the same path each day? Are we advancing the kingdom as we journey every day, or are we comfortable with were we are in our relationship with God. No, its not easy…its a lot of work to walk where the Lord calls us. Some times we have to walk on even when it feels like our hearts have been blistered. Sometimes we have to walk on in the heat of relationship. Sometimes we have to cross bridges that frighten us…for no logical reason whatsoever. But Ultreya my friends. Jesus calls us to “come and see”…meaning, don't just sit there, don't get all comfortable, don't be content to repeat your experience day after day. Today the journey is flat, tomorrow we climb, the next day we descend…but we keep on walking, we keep on The Way as we journey with the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
A closing word: There’s a very good chance that this will be our last day with the computer because it appears that we left our plug adapter in Astorga. If we cant find a new adapter in the next big town (Ponferrada), this will likely be my last post as the computer dies a slow death.
Happy Trails to you…