Wednesday, November 2nd

Reflection by Lisa Ferris

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: for all the souls of the faithful departed; especially for those who have no one to pray for them. (All Souls Day).

Today we began our first steps where many pilgrims begin their pilgrimage, Sarria. It is here in Sarria that you must begin in order to receive the Compostela, the certification given by the church that you have completed the Camino de Santiago. So, many pilgrims start their journey here, and we likely will come across many more pilgrims during our walks from now on…. So many more “Buen Caminos” will be said throughout the day.

I think a good question to consider today would be what does this phrase mean, “Buen Camino.” These words literally mean good way. There have been times when people have asked us is we are having fun, if it is enjoyable, if we are having a good time… Richard and I laughed at the idea today that some have said, “Have a nice vacation!” when hearing about this trip, And yet, although it is not always enjoyable, fun, or a good time, it is VERY good.

What makes it good? There are so many things that make it good. The deep recognition that the Lord and Creator of the universe walks with us each day, that is good. The abundant grace that we walk in every day provided by the Savior in answer to your prayers, that is good. The invitation of Jesus to be a friend to those we walk with, that is good. So, yes indeed, it is a Buen Camino.

We walked this path before, and still it is new. Today as we walked for those who have ended their earthly pilgrimage, we prayed for the souls of those who have died. We walked through many villages with churches that had cemeteries surrounding them, or at their entrances. Sometimes it is hard to face our own deaths or the deaths of those we care for, even Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. Yet there is no avoiding death, it comes to us all, the real question is what is to come afterwards?

Does the anticipation of reaching the end fill our hearts with joy?? As we approach the last days of our journey, only about 58 miles left to walk, the excitement is building. 5 more days of walking!!

Yet the question we find ourselves asking these days is what about when we are done walking? What does life look like after that? The answer is complicated yet simple, what do we want written on our tombstones? If people were to walk through a cemetery on their way into the church we attended what would we want them to see written there?

“Lisa Ferris – a friend of Jesus- no matter where she found him”

As we end of the day of course the Camino gives us one last challenge! A long bridge over a river and an enormous set upstairs leading up into the village. The end of the journey is not always easy… but it is always sweet.

Buen Camino ❤️🙏

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: for all the souls of the faithful departed; especially for those who have no one to pray for them. (All Souls Day).