On the road, “fellowship” is a core value

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Journal Entry April 16, 2007 The road is a curious place to stay open to people. It is more natural to keep a protective distance. After all, people walk separated from each other by their pace, their thoughts, their destinations and more. And yet, on the journey, people come up and talk with you. They join in the conversation, the commonality of being “on the way” together.

Slowly, and even in passing, again and again, connection, understanding and points of view are shared. And sometimes you make friends, across the language and cultural barriers. We discovered that even more possibilities open when we share a meal with others, to reveal ourselves, to serve and care for each other.

Perhaps in unsuspecting ways Christ is still being revealed around the table where bread is broken and hearts are opened. A meal together is often a sign of friendship if not simply an acknowledgement that yes, we too walk the road together and that begins to unite us.

Luke 24:28-32a

28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.³¹Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road… (NRSV)