James: Do Not Be Afraid
How often do you forget that we are just passing through this place?
Today’s Guest Blogger is: Becky Robovsky, Business Manager.
St. James the Greater (greater by age or height as opposed to personal value) is one of the first apostles of Jesus and the patron saint of Spain. Legend has it that he traveled to and preached in Spain, returned to Jerusalem after receiving a vision from Mary (the Mother of God) and was beheaded by one of the Herods. His body was returned to Spain and buried there. This burial is at the end of the famous Camino trail.
In addition to being the patron saint of Spain, James is known as a pilgrim, as he traveled far to spread the word of Jesus. He is often depicted as a pilgrim (wearing traveling clothes) in paintings.
I enjoy traveling. I’ve been moved by the Atlantic Ocean, Devil’s Tower, Pike’s Peak (actually both Pike’s
Peak—Colorado and Iowa). I’ve shuddered at the heights of mountains, been amazed at the beauty of
golden fields of grain. I’ve felt the power of Niagara Falls, and the peace of my own back yard. So far none of my travels have involved specifically spreading the Word of God. But they have involved feeling the presence of God, and maybe that’s what gives me what it takes to come back and spread the Word in my
normal daily life.
Pilgrimages are about the pilgrim. They are transformational. You can
expect to receive something, to be moved and changed in some way when you make one. It could be as far as Rome or as close as West Bend. But like the author suggests, start planning one. It may take you a
while to pull it all together, but it will get done. You just have to start the process, take the first step. And believe that most of the time, it’s more about the journey than the destination.
Happy trails!