Camino Blog – Day 10

Welcome to this Camino Blog. If you are new it might be best to start with the introduction. Otherwise, carry on.

Location: Santo Domingo​

Distance: 21.3km – 213.2km total. Were going to do another 8km to try and get to a particular Albergue. However, the bodies (and the minds) said no.

Weather: Fine, clear day. Quite a head wind though so still quite cool. Left early to try for the long distance so got some nice picture opportunities.

Terrain: Smooth path. Pretty easy walking through vineyards and farms.  

Physical condition: Pretty good but the feet are pretty sore. Think light feet Justin.

Other: Forgot to mention yesterday but when walking along I saw some boots tied to the fence. Turns out they were the same type and size as I have at home! You tend to think such things are “meant” on this walk so tried to take them off till I came to my senses and remember that someone else’s stinky feet had been in them. Weird things happen to your mind on this walk.  

Also was feeling quite pleased to pass the 200km mark until we passed all these signs saying there was still 575km to go. We have only scratched the surface of this thing!

SB 10 – There is nothing you have done, are doing, or will do that will deserve this. It is simply given! All you can do is accept.

I started this blog saying that my church could have a sermon on Grace every week. After 9 other SB’s, this is the moment!

So apparently this is where the Christian thing deviates from other faiths. If someone asks you what is unique about Christianity, Grace is it. Although given how we come across it may take some convincing.

For along time I didn’t get this and my rational for being a Christian tended to reduce to it being a good way to live and generally leadinh to a healthy and wealthy life. Now I think that to be a Christian for the material benefits is a bit like entering the Olympics to get fit, it goes with the territory but misses the point. There are easier options if this is what you are after.

It is not easy to live in a state of Grace. All of society constantly preaches a counter view. It is so pervasive that even when we are looking to do things differently we are constantly dragged back in

“If I have a better quite time …..”

“If I prayed better….”

“If I be more mindful…..”

“If I read the right book…..”

“If I walk the Camino in the right way….”

To quote The Return of the Jedi – “it’s a trap!”

It’s not that they are good things to do but you have very little control over this. You are not the maker of the gift, you are only the recipient.  Remember, you are the infant in this relationship.

I have heard an analogy that Grace is like a bright light in a room. It is always there despite what you do. Yet even this potential exaggerates what you can do (i.e. you can leave the room). Probably the most we can do is open or close our eyes.

If you need biblical passages here can I suggest Galatians 3. In fact all of Galatians would be a good idea.

The tests have been passed for you. You received an A, now let yourself learn the subject.

Naturally, I spent a bit if time humming Amazing Grace today (with an annoying tendency of putting in the Chris Tomlin addition. It doesn’t need it! Why, why!). For the record, if I don’t make it home, you can play it at my funeral.

Pictures

Some scenery

Where we are staying tonight