Gethsemene

I got lost TWICE in one day! It is easy to miss one of the markers of the Camino: a painted yellow arrow on a tree, a lamp post, on a road sign; a bronze like shell embedded in the road; or a blue sign with a white shell in the back ground and a black image of a pilgrim.

When you are completely alone, in a foreign country with limited language ability, it can be quite frightening. A few blog posts ago I wrote about reading the signs of the times. I need to remember to read the physical signs of the Camino giving me direction. One other time, the same day, a pilgrim riding his bike to Santiago stoped and yelled at me saying I was going down the wrong path. He pointed to one of the arrows painted on the road AND a small blue sign. How thoughtful, one pilgrim taking care of another. If I didn’t hear him that would have made getting lost three times!

Jesús teaches us in today’s gospel that the Kingdom is like a tiny mustard that grows into a huge tree giving shelter for the birds. Tiny seeds of kindness planted in the heart can gradually transform a challenging Camino into a journey of inner transformation.

5 thoughts on “Gethsemene

  1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    We are thinking of you and praying for your good health and strength on this journey. Today Courtney and I leave for Sicily and we will share your journey with our family there. Wish you could join us in visiting the homeland of our mothers. xoxox JoAnn

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    • Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

      I just met a pilgrim who lives in Sicily near Piana de Albanese. Yes!! A young chef living near our family. He was a delight!
      I’ll pray for you all please tell them I’ll be praying for them on this Camino. Miss you.

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  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    Fr. Frank, I can totally understand how you could miss those signs! As someone who is always fighting the urge to take the wrong turn I sympathize. I could probably turn the 500 miles into 1000!

    You are in my prayers. I hope this is the positive experience you want.

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  3. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    Let nothing disturb you, 
    Let nothing frighten you, 
    All things are passing away: 
    God never changes. 
    Patience obtains all things
    Whoever has God lacks nothing; 
    God alone suffices.

    May God bless you and His peace be with you on your pilgrimage. Shalom, Shalom

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