Life Lessons From The Camino De SantiagoSample

Undeserved Reputation

The minimum distance to earn your Compostela (certificate of accomplishment) for walking the Camino is 62 miles (100 km). The town of Sarria lies just outside this minimum. Many of us who had started in France and walked for over a month were now joined by newcomers who were only going to walk four or five days and earn the same Compostela.

We found this section frustrating because the trail and accommodations were now often packed due to these new pilgrims—and they didn’t know how to behave properly. In the pilgrim hostels, they turned lights on early while others were sleeping, locked the doors to shared bathroom facilities, and, in general, upset the rhythm and camaraderie of those who had spent many weeks on the Camino.

But when we spent time with some of these latecomers, we found they had various reasons for doing the short route. In some cases, they had only a week off work but wanted to experience at least part of the Camino. One Irish woman we met had turned 70 five months before and was celebrating with the 60-mile route—the most she thought she could handle. In one case a man from Boston and a woman from Japan had met four years earlier doing the full Camino Frances route from the French Pyrenees. This time, they were pushing a baby carriage—a result of their marriage—but on the short route.

After I had spent time with some of these latecomers, I was more patient and understanding.

One apostle that I believe has an undeserved reputation is Thomas. His name is synonymous with doubting because he missed the appearance of the risen Christ in the upper room and said he would not believe, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side…”

But earlier in John’s Gospel, Thomas showed incredible bravery. When the other apostles tried to talk Jesus out of going to Judea to resurrect Lazarus because the people in that area had previously tried to stone him, Thomas bravely said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Doubting Thomas—or brave Thomas?

Questions to Consider:

• Who have you judged that deserves a second chance?
• How are you going to give them that second chance?