Camino@Galilee Reflection Sharing
Tuesday, 20th of September, 7PM
A gathering with those who have walked the Camino. They will share their experiences/stories and maybe even photos. Join us for a enjoyable evening of sharing.
THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
“THE STONES”
In September 2002 Jean and I had arrived at RABANAL and we booked into the Refugio Gaucelmo. Holy Mass is usually celebrated in the evening on the Camino so that Pilgrims can leave early in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun. There was a small Benedictine Monastery very near to the refugio and so we went to it in the morning and joined the monks for Morning Prayer. There were two monks and The Abbott, Jean and I, and a German lady. It was a beautiful, intimate setting and we were very privileged to be able to join them. The Divine Office was beautiful and we sang the responses in Latin!
After the Office was finished The Abbott called us Pilgrims to the altar. There was a basket of stones there. He said to us, “Pick a stone, please.” We did so, not knowing the purpose. Then he said, “You will carry that stone to the Cruz de Ferro. Get to know your stone. It symbolizes all the burdens you are carrying: your sins, your anxieties, your fears – everything you carry. When you reach the Cruz de Ferro you will place your stone at the foot of The Cross and Jesus will carry all your burdens for you from then on.”
When we got to the Cruz de Ferro, Claude (a pilgrim who had walked from Belgium) asked me if I would put his stone at the bottom of the Cross for him. What a privilege!
We have a Walking Pilgrimage in Southern Ontario. Our section was started by Jean and myself and we walk from Guelph to The Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario – about 200 kms. The Walk has been blessed in so very many ways. We have incorporated “The Stones” in our Pilgrimage Walk. After Bishop Ustrzycki has said Mass for us, at the start of the Pilgrimage, we pick a stone and carry it for three days. On Monday morning at Mount Alverno (a Capuchin retreat house in Orangeville) we walk The Stations of the Cross through the woods and at the Twelfth Station we place our stones at the foot of the Cross. It has become one of the most moving experiences for our Pilgrims.
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus heals the widow of Nain’s son.
Reflection
Our gospel begins today with two processions. One a procession of life—Jesus and His disciples— the other a procession of death…widow of Nain’s son.
Jesus interrupts his journey to reach out to the widow of Nain. He begs her not to cry then he heals the son and gives him back to his mother.
How often do we interrupt our program to reach out to those on the margin of life?
Are we willing to stick our neck out to intrude when someone is in trouble?
Do we thank God every morning when rise from our sleep and life begins again?
