Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

 Endless Pilgrimage of the Heart

“Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

“…An endless pilgrimage of the heart” is a phrase that stirs my imagination. In the context of Heschel’s quote, he draws a distinction between ‘pilgrimage’ as a physical destination with a presumed ending and a ‘pilgrimage’ that sets one’s heart on a never-ending journey of faith. It is the walk of the heart. Our walk of the heart will begin in Porto, Portugal  and continue to Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica located in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The pilgrimage that we will be on is called the El Camino (Tr. The Way). The walk of the heart will happen for us throughout the month of April and during the most holy times of the Christian Church, Lent, and Easter. Although our journey ends at the traditional burial place of Saint James, more importantly, Carly and I see this pilgrimage as part of the continuing journey of our hearts to a deeper, more spiritual connection with our Christian faith.  We believe this pilgrimage reflects our calling, our baptism, and the Christian values and beliefs that continue to shape us even now. 

In the Bible, James is referred to as a disciple of Jesus who left his trade as fisherman to follow him. The Bible tells us little about James except that he requested to be seated at right hand of Jesus in heaven and was present at important events like the Transfiguration and Jesus weeping and praying in the garden. “Teacher!” said James, “…We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” The passage goes on to say, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35, 37. Yes, even Jesus’ best disciples ‘cling to shrines’, a place of comfort and glory. Nonetheless, according to oral tradition, James is identified as the patron saint of Portugal and Spain – the one who brought the Christian faith to these countries. 

God continues to reveal more truth and life in a multitude of ways. As I journey with Carly, as I travel the road that has been ‘the way’ for Christian pilgrims since the 11^th century, I will open my heart to a deeper, even more fulfilling faith than what sustains me today. Jesus asks, “…Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” I pray, with God’s help, I am!