Prayer Poured Out-Gospel Reflection for 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time
My life as a Catholic priest serving the Bozeman MT community.
My last post on this pilgrimage at least on this iPad. "Ad Altare Dei" All I want to do is fearfully approach the altar of the Cathedral of Santiago de Campostella and give thanks. At dinner of "tapas" and great Spanish wine I was struck on how powerful this week was. Was not a religious experience, but an experience of the soul. The soul that tells the truth, that causes one to know one's own limitation, the souls that says "laugh out loud" on occasion. We met a French Canadien couple tonight that live half the year in Tucson AZ, a lone pilgrim from Slovakia with connections in Bozeman, MT, all taking time to experience a journey. Their caminos. For me, I needed to experience my history. A history of blood spilled for faith whether justly or unjustly; kings and queens, El Cid, and Don Quixote...but everywhere at least for me, the Catholic Faith open for all to see. Dear friends, we have always been a church of saints and sinners. Of reformers and inquisitors, of pious old and irreverent youth. Hopefully my Camino will allow me to be a bit more grateful for them all. It has truly been a "buen camino" Gonna drink the rest of this wine now.....got mass in the morning...good night.
Short blog tonight as we set off for Ourense tomorrow. Not the longest ride but it begins with some steeps climbs. We begin at 1224 ft. Supposedly a 3100 ft vertical gain but we end up at about 350 ft altitude. I look forward to that ending. Miss my Olive mucho now. Great food here.
Spain. Home of St. Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. Fire of Divine Love and Dark Night of the Soul. Had a little of both in the last two days. First day from Salamanca was a gift. An easy ride. Yesterday is another story. Thinking that is was more direct,new chose an untried route that became my "dark night". Perhaps needed to show me humility and see what I wanted to see....the face of Christ in every person along the way. Mountains up, and low valleys at least 10 times. Stung by a wasp that flew into my face as I was going 35km down a hill, over hydrating and only eating a most delicious bread baked by Maria in an unknown village, the body was telling me that all was not well. Needed to depart from the group and find respite in the local village of Pobladura de Aliste. Had a beer and a pastel in the bar and got to know the locals. Feeling a little better I contracted with a local cabbie for a ride with bike to Pueblo De Sanabria....80km away. Over the mountains and through the Forrest at near dusk he bright me to this place, a lovely hotel in Sanabria. The other guys made it an hour later full of stories of getting lost on a Forrest service road in the dark and by the grace of God finding their way to this town. So there is is. I will take off by train to A Guadino with my bike and meet up with them today to continue our ride. Offered mass today for my friends and those asking for God's grace and their special intentions. An honor to be a priest. Mom, I am OK so don't worry. :)
First day and it was great. Sat nights are pretty lively in a university's city, Salamanca included. Up early for an 8am mass. Could not find the place as it is in a Carmelite convent with no noticeable marked doors. For this familiar with Europe know that streets are just marked.....differently. Not wanting to wait for a 9 or 10 we got down to basics, mass on demand with a priest. We celebrated in my room.
Well, for those who wanted to get a daily map of our progress emailed to them; bear with ME on this one. Seems that in not wanting to bring along my laptop and the iPad instead, totally forgot the iPad does not have a USB port... So, to download the tracking from the ride I need to upload it to the "GARMIN connect" website, then you all can get an email sent and view the progress. Neither of my companions wanted to bring the laptop for the same reason. Too much weight and risk damage from weather. So it might be a one time send as I will need to find a computer to use at one of our stops that has internet and a USB port. I am positive we will find one. After all trusting in God is a part of this trip; a BIG part, at least for me. You can follow us with some pics and an occasional video on my FB page...FrVal Zdilla
Camino Notes
Leaving for Spain today. In a few days I, along with two friends will begin a small but important pilgrimage to Santiago de Campostella. For me is is a pilgrimage of faith. Recognizing the millions who have made this trek before me. Why? For the Christian a sense of mission is instilled into us at baptism. We want to show Christ in our kindness, friendliness, and when needed, our assistance to others who may be in need. Not to wait for a big moment, but in daily and most insignificant ways.
I have been anxious the last few days and tomorrow will arrive in a few. Prayer folio ready to go. Now for that sangria.....