"Will you abide"

As we draw a little closer to beginning our fourth journey along the Camino de Santiago, I have been reflecting on what it means to be a pilgrim. In the Middle ages people had varying reasons for making their way to Santiago de Compostela. Generally, pilgrims were to fall into one of three categories. First, some were known as ex-votos, meaning those who had set out on the journey to express their DEVOTION to God. There was purposefulness in their actions and a desire to reach greater levels of spirituality and commitment to divine guidance. Among those who embraced this purpose were Saint Francis of Assisi, Isabel and Fernando, the Catholic Monarchs, Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Dominic de Guzmán and Dante Alighieri. Next, there were the those who walked as an expression of GRATITUDE for the miracles they had experienced in their life. Some in this category would also walk seeking blessings for themselves or others. Finally, there were the penitent who, either voluntarily or under obligation, walked as a form of FORGIVENESS and REDEMPTION from past ills with an eye to sanctification. All of these pilgrims were required to confess before leaving home so that they might be better prepared to receive the guidance and blessings that they sought . Perhaps we can see a little of ourselves in each of these three types of pilgrims as we make our way throughout life.

The Codex Calixtinus, a medieval guide to the Camino de Santiago from 1140, indicates that the first pilgrimage began with Adam and Eve when they were expelled from the Garden of Eden and sent out into the world. Subsequently, other Biblical figures began their own pilgrimages: Abraham and Sarah when they left their homeland; Jacob when he went into Egypt; the Children of Israel during their sojourn in the wilderness; and the Lord's apostles who went throughout the world to teach the gospel. Perhaps the most intriguing tradition from the Codex is that the Lord Jesus Christ engaged in a pilgrimage when he joined two of his disciples as they walked along the road to Emmaus. The scriptures record the event as follows. While the disciples are walking along, deep in discussion concerning the events of the day, the Lord appears suddenly at their side and asks, "What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk and are sad?" Not recognizing him as the Christ, they respond, "Art thou a stranger in Jerusalem, and has not known the things that have been done there in these days?" The three then continue their walk along the road where the disciples are taught essential truths. As they near their destination the Lord "made as though he would have gone further." But [the disciples] constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent," and so he stayed. They continued their conversation as they sat to eat. The scriptures then tell us that Christ took bread and blessed it and gave it to them. At that moment, "their eyes were opened, and they knew him." "And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

A beautiful illustration of this encounter on the road to Emmaus is found in the monastery at Santo Domingo de Silos. In the cloister there is an 11th-century pilaster that captures the moment when the Lord "made as though he would have gone further." Herein are three artistic details that speak directly to the heart of viewer, and more particularly to the intentions of the pilgrim. First, the artist has sculpted the feet of the Savior in opposing directions. While visiting the monastery several years ago our Benedictine friend taught us that this gesture is symbolic of the choice that each of us must make when asked to remain and abide in the Lord; to follow him in all ways. The next image is that of Cleopas as he looks pleadingly at the Savior as he entreats him to remain. Perhaps the intensity of this moment reflects the desire that each of us should have to engage with the Lord. At the same time, the other disciple stands in the background, gazing out from the frame as if asking us if we will also remain with them. Finally, on the Lord's satchel is a scallop, the symbol of a pilgrim. You may wonder how it is that Christ is depicted as a pilgrim. In the King James, and other versions, of the Bible, Cleopas asks the Lord if he is a "stranger." However, in Saint Jerome's translation, known as the Latin Vulgate, he uses peregrinus, or pilgrim, to describe the Lord's status. An interesting implication here is that we are all "pilgrims and strangers" making our way to some eternal goal. Even more significant is that we do not know who it is that we might encounter along the way or who will teach us a vital truth. Perhaps that stranger may be the Savior himself.

All three of these elements act as invitations to the viewer and ask: Will you accept the Lord's invitation to "come, follow me"? Will you open your heart and allow His words to "burn" within you? Are you willing to identify yourself as a disciple of the Lord?

Engaging in the Camino de Santiago and helping students to increase their faith and discipleship has enriched my testimony and desire to become a better follower of Jesus Christ. Walking each day and learning from other pilgrims increases our devotion to eternal truths, to express deeper gratitude for the blessings we have received and to seek greater insight into eternal truths, and to seek forgiveness and to sanctify our life a little more to living the gospel.