3/120: Lean on the cross

Today’s #CelebratingStAnthony post is a quote:

As I read this quote, I thought about the Camino de Santiago.

The Camino is also known as the Way of St James, a pilgrimage walk through Spain. When I read about it and saw videos of a pilgrim’s journey, I was amazed at the dedication and strength (physical and mental) required to finish the journey under gruelling weather. Most pilgrims travel alone, unless they meet others along the way. In 2016, 227915 pilgrims completed the walk.

There are many routes, from France to Spain, Portugal to Spain, From within Spain, but a pilgrim needs to walk at least 100km to receive the compostela (certificate of achievement). Read more about it at Wiki.

I was drawn to this pilgrimage because it was really about finding God in the journey, walking with God despite circumstances and journeying with others on the path.

When you’re out there, walking to a destination you cannot see for a long time, the only thing you can do is to keep walking. I reflected about this in terms of life – we are heading towards a destination we cannot see (for now) and we don’t know when we’ll get there. The only thing we need to do is to keep walking towards the ultimate goal.

Have I been walking towards the ultimate goal?

I think so – but every day is different and I feel like some days I’m making good progress but other days, I find myself slipping back or taking a detour.

I pray that I too, will learn to lean on the cross, just as travellers lean on a staff on their journey.

St Anthony, pray for us.