Anticipating an Arrival

God willing, and assuming I have calculated correctly, exactly one year from today I will be arriving in Santiago de Compostella in Spain at the end of a long pilgrimage.

The two obvious questions are: What? and Why?

The “what” part is easy. I will follow the medieval pilgrimage trail known as the Camino de Santiago, starting from the mountain village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees.

A month later I will arrive in the city of Santiago de Compostella, at the Cathedral where the remains of the Apostle Saint James are said to be interred.

The Way begins in a village named for the Apostle John, son of Zebedee, and it ends at a city named for his older brother.

Perhaps it is a metaphorical voyage from John’s poetry to James’ practicality. Who knows?

In any case, my plan is to walk the entire 769km.

Why?

Ah, now that is the question. The Lord calls me, and I must follow the Way. Who can explain these things?