From Pamplona on Wednesday we climbed over the Alto de Perdón (Mount of Forgiveness) with its iconic sculpture of pilgrims on the way. I wonder how many of us seek forgiveness in this walk. Many have said they are hoping to be changed… to receive guidance for a new life direction. Does this not start in forgiveness?
We have made good progress since setting out Saturday, having arrived in Pamplona today, about 44 miles from our start in St. Jean Pied de Port.
It has been incredibly hard and incredibly rewarding. When I am at the end of my rope, if I can remember to open to the divine, inevitably something happens to help me move forward… some little joy… usually a glimpse of beauty, perhaps one of the countless little wildflowers on the side of the path, or a magnificent view. Here are a couple of photos of those.
No matter how hard, every day I am given multiple assurances that this pilgrimage is a blessing.
We arrived this morning at the beginning… the lovely little town of St. Jean Pied de Port (foot of the pass… over the mountains to Spain). We will start early in the morning , up into the Pyrenees for five miles to a lovely small hostel for the night. I’m posting today because I don’t know if we’ll have internet tomorrow.
Our walk got more interesting this morning when I tripped and fell in the road! Lessons abound, like paying attention! And also how help comes to us: the woman whose car I fell in front of directed us to the doctor’s office 100 feet away, where she was on her way to work. She arranged for the doctor to see us right away, and the visit cost only $25! Grace abounds.
This pilgrimage has already filled my heart with gratitude for the opportunities along the way to seek fullness of life… intermingling my heart with other pilgrims’… drinking the beauty of nature… even soothing pain.
May we all find the help we need to live into all that life offers us.
“You are above me, oh God, you are within.
You are in all things yet contained by no thing.
Teach me to seek you in all that has life
that I may see you as the light of life.
Teach me to search for you in my own depths
that I may find you in every living soul.”
— John Philip Newell
