We discovered something interesting on our beautiful 17.5 mile walk today! How, in these glorious “shire-like” lands, my feet do, in fact, seem to be getting wider!
However I seem to be getting shorter?
I fear that there was some truth to the Hobbit-esquian myth! What is this non-Hobbit to do?
In the day five Novena readings for today we find James and John asking Our Lord if He will grant them a seat at His right and His left when He comes into His glory. Jesus reminds them that those places are not for Him to grant and that first they must pass through humiliation and sacrifice of the cross. The prayers for today remind us to realize the great value in sacrifice and to appreciate humility – as a virtue for ourselves and especially in humble service to one another.
We have seen and heard of heroic acts of charity among the pilgrims, as well as from the faithful Spanish people who tend to us. One pilgrim, already with a knee brace at that time, when she came across a sobbing and distraught pilgrim in great pain in her knees, took hers off and gave it to the young girl. One pilgrim with limited funds, was handed a very nice substantial rain poncho. We found this man simply awestruck and near tears. We have heard of another pilgrim who was suffering knee pain on a steep descent (common) who was suffering so much that she had to go down backwards (we have heard other cases of this). Another pilgrim carried the pack of this poor girl in addition to her own, while a second served as her crutch, and another as their guide. One pilgrim we met was having a terrible time with blisters. A fellow pilgrim gave him his sneakers. Poor fellow – they were way too big, but they were at least comfortable.
One thing that always stands out is the cheerful greetings of “Buen Camino” that we hear and share with everyone we meet. One great lesson I’ve learned here – a sincere smile and a genuinely caring greeting means ALOT and can really affect someone’s day! In any culture, anywhere!