People of the Way
Rev Jack Scholtz and his wife Joan walked the Camino Frances in 2003. They share with us some of their experiences with people on the Way.
St John of the Broomstick
Our first day on the Camino. We walked, then climbed out of the Pamplona Valley. We struggled to the top on a steep and narrow path. "Hullo", called someone, "do you speak English?" "Yes," we reply with gusto. (We have not spoken it for three days.) There he is, standing in the doorway of his rather battered Motorhome. On the roof a mountain bike. Outside folding chairs, a table with mugs and first aid box. Our obvious question: "How do you come to be here?" "Well, I offer encouragement, coffee and first-aid for blisters for struggling peregrinos. Will you have a coffee?"
John walked the Camino three years ago. Now that he is on pension he feels the urge to be part of the Camino again. In the mornings he does this. In the afternoon he goes looking for tired and struggling peregrinos on his mountain bike.
"You wouldn't happen to have a stick for my wife?" I ask, fearing the steep descent into the Valdizarbe Valley. He delves into a cupboard in the Motorhome and produces a red broomstick. "If anybody tells you it looks like a broomstick, hit them with it!" He delves again and produces some white rope which he loops through the handle. "There you are, its got character already. Bon Camino!" We bless him on the tough descent and name him Saint John of the Broomstick!
The Farmers of Navarra
The wheat has just been harvested. The stubble glows golden as far as the eye can see. Rolling wheatlands and deep green vineyards, side by side, mile upon mile as you walk, singing a song of great generosity.
These farmers of Navarra work the land with a passion. And from that passion comes bread and wine - some of it the Body and Blood of Christ - bread for the wilderness and wine for the journey given for all humanity.
The Medico of Estella
He is at the desk of the Refugio receiving pilgrims. The music of Mozart playing behind him. Someone arrives limping with a blister that has turned ugly. He is not a medico this friend of pilgrims, yet gently and expertly he sets to work. The wound and the astringent causes intense pain and the peregrino all but faints, blood draining from the face. He pats his face, talks to him, calls for a Coke, holds it for him to drink, rubs his back until the pain has passed. As you watch you are reminded of the One who said, "If I your Master and Lord have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." Thank you that you listened Medico of Estella.
The United Nations of Peregrinos
They come from everywhere these pilgrims - throughout Europe including Russia, Hungary and Croatia, from Brazil and Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, the United States, Africa. Young and old, speaking a Pentecost of languages.
Each one free to find their own meaning in the Camino. Alone on the Way, eating and sleeping in the close quarters of the Refugios and yet with a profound respect for each otherīs space.
Somehow a unity is forged which will reach across the globe, stronger than the division and violence of a wounded world.
St John of the Broomstick
Our first day on the Camino. We walked, then climbed out of the Pamplona Valley. We struggled to the top on a steep and narrow path. "Hullo", called someone, "do you speak English?" "Yes," we reply with gusto. (We have not spoken it for three days.) There he is, standing in the doorway of his rather battered Motorhome. On the roof a mountain bike. Outside folding chairs, a table with mugs and first aid box. Our obvious question: "How do you come to be here?" "Well, I offer encouragement, coffee and first-aid for blisters for struggling peregrinos. Will you have a coffee?"
John walked the Camino three years ago. Now that he is on pension he feels the urge to be part of the Camino again. In the mornings he does this. In the afternoon he goes looking for tired and struggling peregrinos on his mountain bike.
"You wouldn't happen to have a stick for my wife?" I ask, fearing the steep descent into the Valdizarbe Valley. He delves into a cupboard in the Motorhome and produces a red broomstick. "If anybody tells you it looks like a broomstick, hit them with it!" He delves again and produces some white rope which he loops through the handle. "There you are, its got character already. Bon Camino!" We bless him on the tough descent and name him Saint John of the Broomstick!
The Farmers of Navarra
The wheat has just been harvested. The stubble glows golden as far as the eye can see. Rolling wheatlands and deep green vineyards, side by side, mile upon mile as you walk, singing a song of great generosity.
These farmers of Navarra work the land with a passion. And from that passion comes bread and wine - some of it the Body and Blood of Christ - bread for the wilderness and wine for the journey given for all humanity.
The Medico of Estella
He is at the desk of the Refugio receiving pilgrims. The music of Mozart playing behind him. Someone arrives limping with a blister that has turned ugly. He is not a medico this friend of pilgrims, yet gently and expertly he sets to work. The wound and the astringent causes intense pain and the peregrino all but faints, blood draining from the face. He pats his face, talks to him, calls for a Coke, holds it for him to drink, rubs his back until the pain has passed. As you watch you are reminded of the One who said, "If I your Master and Lord have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." Thank you that you listened Medico of Estella.
The United Nations of Peregrinos
They come from everywhere these pilgrims - throughout Europe including Russia, Hungary and Croatia, from Brazil and Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, the United States, Africa. Young and old, speaking a Pentecost of languages.
Each one free to find their own meaning in the Camino. Alone on the Way, eating and sleeping in the close quarters of the Refugios and yet with a profound respect for each otherīs space.
Somehow a unity is forged which will reach across the globe, stronger than the division and violence of a wounded world.
