Way of St. James - May 1
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44; Wisdom 1:16-2:11,21-24; Col. 1:1-14; Luke 6:1-11
Today is the feast of St. James and St. Phillip, two of the twelve apostles. The church has many days that commemorate women and men who have led inspirational lives that continue to shape the faith of believers and seekers. In our own church tradition, we don’t put a lot of emphasis on these days but that doesn’t mean the impact isn’t real. This morning, I was struck by the subtle way St. James continues to impact people in our own community.
Yesterday during the 7:45 a.m. service, we prayed for two parishioners who came forward to receive a blessing before leaving that afternoon to head to Portugal to walk the Portuguese route of the Way of St. James, one of the many pilgrimages of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a system of trails and paths that all lead to the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago, Spain, where people have been traveling for over 1000 years to visit the place where St. James is buried. It is one of three cathedrals built over the burial suite of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
This morning, another group of four friends from Saint Stephen’s are leaving to walk the last 105 km of the traditional route across northern Spain. And later this week, parents of youth in our youth program will learn about future plans that will include a pilgrimage for our young people that will include an opportunity to walk part of the Camino de Santiago. Many others from our community have walked, biked, or even ridden on horseback parts of this famous pilgrimage. St. James continues to make an impact in the life of our community.
What strikes me most about these trips are the intentions that people have to grow in their faith and the lengths they will go to gain deeper insight into how God is a part of their lives. Walking 75-500 miles to grow deeper in your faith is not an ordinary decision. Today’s Gospel reading (normal lectionary and not the feast day reading) is a passage from Luke where Jesus justifies breaking some of the normal rules of sabbath. “Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ Then he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’” I believe there is a relationship between the pioneering spirit of those who venture off the beaten path to know God more fully to the spirit of Jesus’s rule-breaking ethic that says not everything you need is contained in the religious life of community.
I hope that when you read a reflection, when you show up to church, when you engage in a ministry that your faith is deepened, and you know God more fully. And, today’s passage from Luke is another reminder that sometimes religious leaders fail to see the bigger picture. What are the proactive ways that you are seeking out growing in your faith, and what responsibility are you taking in your own faith development? What will it lead you to next? A new book, a new class, or a self-guided trip around the world?
Faithfully,
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What are the proactive ways that you are seeking out growing in your faith, and what responsibility are you taking in your own faith development?
Daily Challenge: If you are interested in learning more about the Way of St. James, I encourage you to watch this class offered at Saint Stephen’s earlier this year by two of our pilgrims.