camino update 4 (Los Arcos)
Finally have some time to update.
In a town called Los Arcos. Absolutely beautiful. Met alot of people from the U.S. today!! One from Rhode Island, two from Michigan (That´s alot for me here in Spain!) Then I met a couple other english speakers from Montreal and Australia.
Todays treck was crazy…30 km!! The most we´ve done since the beginning. I had to seperate from my spanish/english/italian friend because he was too hurt to continue. But I have to continue with the fast pack in order to make it to Santiago.
Guys, the Church here in Los Arcos might just be the most beautiful church I have ever seen. I walked in and started to weep. It directed my spirit and my eyes to heaven. All made of gold and silver, a beautiful altar with saints and the apostles and Our Lady EVERYWHERE. But not overpowering the subtle and humble red candlelight reminding us of our Lord´s presence in the tabernacle. My companions came in with me (remember all of them speak little english), and they were amazed as well!
All of them no longer practice their Catholic faith anymore, but they are all Catholic. Back when my other companion (Andres) who translated everything was around all the time, he would translate conversations between me and some of the others in our company over issues with God. It was wonderful! One of my companions asked me about God and Christ, and how Christ could be God. He had never heard anything about “nature” and so that helped Him alot. Some of them weren´t sure if Catholics believed in the Real Presence of Christ´s Body and Blood in the Eucharist, so I was able to talk to them about our belief in that true Presence of Christ and yet how we AREN´T cannibals!! Its so awesome to be able to share the faith with other people. There are no barriers when it comes to God. One of my companions, Sergio, the one that reminds me of St. Joseph, said now he wants to go to church and pray. I told him that Christ ALWAYS meets us where we are (i.e. the Sacraments!) and calls us to Himself (to participate in the vision of His very nature) in Heaven. I hope he ends up doing it. Say a memorare for my group if you get a chance. I will contine to pray for all of them too. I have a nice picture of all of us, and I will post that whenever I can to show you who each person in the compnay is.
I am blessed beyond compare to be able to attend mass in about 2 hours from now. Since the first day, I have not been able to attend because all the Churches have early masses and by the time I reach the next destination, it is past 2 or 3. But here in Los Arcos they have mass at 8pm in the most beautiful Church I have ever seen. God is soooo good!!!!!!
Another long trek tomorrow. Looking forward to good company though with friends and the Lord. Journaling has been so helpful for me and in praying the Divine Office in the morning, evening, and nightime, God has spoken soooo much to my heart. Every Psalm prayer has something that is speaking to my heart. Now, phrases about walking in the valley, following the pathway, and being lead by our Shepard are speaking to me more than ever. Sooo blessed! All thanks be to God and to you who are praying for me. You have no idea how grateful I am for your support. I need it!
Last cool story. Today I was walking in vast, open fields and in the hot sun for a loooong time and I was very tired. I heard a random noise of some kind and looked, and wayyy in the mountains I saw a HUGE flock of sheep (had to be at least 50) being led on a pathway. I was so awesome!! Reminded me of how the Lord is leading us all on the path of the Camino, whether we realize it and acknowledge it or not. Was a beautiful sight to just hear their cries and as they were led to where they needed to be going.
Going to change into more decent clothes for Mass and prepare my heart. Thanks for the prayers guys and gals. Will update again when I can. Someone tell my roomates I love them and miss them please. And tell Rouglas I am anticipating his letter when I finalllllly reach midpoint of the Camino!
Blessings!
- Lamar
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